Photo by Kim North University High wrestling coach Ken Maisel, left, was named the OVAC Bill Van Horne Coach of the Year Sunday during the 41st annual OVAC Banquet of Champions inside WesBanco Arena. He is pictured with his wife, Tammy.

WHEELING – After being one of the five OVAC Bill Van Horne Coach of the Year finalists for the past few years, University High wrestling Ken Maisel finally heard his name called Sunday afternoon during the 41st annual OVAC Banquet of Champions inside WesBanco Arena.

“It’s an honor, but it’s really the kids. I wouldn’t be Coach of the Year without the athletes doing what they do,” Maisel said. “The athletes really put us coaches up there.”

Maisel’s Hawks claimed the overall and Class 5A titles at the 72nd annual OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling championships last winter, repeating the Class 5A crown. He has been voted the OVAC Class 5A Coach of the Year in 2024 and 2025. Last winter, University became only the fourth ‘big school’ to win four consecutive W.Va. Division I state titles, joining John Marshall, Parkersburg and Parkersburg South.

Ironically, Maisel was presented the award inside the facility where his teams have shined over the past few seasons.

“We’ve had a nice run. Now, as coaches, you figure out how to keep it going,” he said. “As soon as the 2026 W.Va. state tournament was over, my first thought was ‘how are we going to do it again next year.'”

The other four finalists were Todd Cover, Wheeling Central baseball; Sherrie Garner, Oak Glen softball; Mike Haney, Steubenville boys basketball; and Mel Stephens, Wheeling Central boys basketball.

In addition to the Coach of the Year Award, four different schools received honors for Student-Athlete Competition and Overall Class Champion winners. They were Conotton valley (Class 1A); Toronto (Class 2A); St. Clairsville (Class 4A) and Wheeling Park (Class 5A).

Wheeling Central won the Class 3A Student-Achievement Award, while Barnesville earned the Class 3A Class Champion Award.

Nearly 50 scholarships were presented to more than 60 individuals. The total amount nearly reached $58,000 ($57, 550).

The featured speaker was 1979 St. John Central graduate Michael Ciancone who is an engineer for NASA. He was one of three OVAC Student-Athlete scholars that year, joining John Neese and Dr. Rick Clark.