Local Sports

First Inductees Announced For Wheeling Central Athletic Hall Of Fame Class

WHEELING -- The Wheeling Central Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Fame has announced its first three honorees for this year's HOF induction ceremony.

Chosen to be enshrined as part of the Maroon Knight Hall of Fame Class of 2026 include: Zack Stahl, Mo Mull and Alex Peluchette. Additional honorees will be chronicled in the coming weeks.

All the new Hall of Famers will be feted during the Maroon Knights' annual Hall of Fame Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 12, sponsored by Dan Stephens State Farm Insurance at the CCHS Great Hall.

Only a limited number of tickets are available for this event and are $25 per person. They can be purchased by contacting the school at 304-233-1660 or stopping at school between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the month of August. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Wheeling Central head football coach Mike Young at 304-312-9125 or Athletic Director Seth Staskey at 740-310-0848.

All previous Hall of Fame inductees are invited. They need to make reservations in advance.

The brunch begins at 10 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. It will be catered by Generations. The Wheeling Central Football Moms and cheerleaders will be assisting during the brunch.

On Friday, Sept. 11 the Wheeling Central football team will be hosting West Lafayette Ridgewood at Wheeling University. All new inductees will also be recognized at halftime.

The Wheeling Central Hall of Fame came into existence in 2016. All honorees must be first nominated. Forms are available on the school's website.

A capsule look at the first three honorees.

ALEX PELUCHETTE (Class of 2008) – Alex authored an amazing career as Central's starting quarterback. He was a three-year starter under center, leading the Maroon Knights to a sparkling 33-3 record.

Those 33 wins also yielded three straight state championships for Central.

In his senior season, Peluchette passed for more than 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was also a lethal threat with his legs as he rushed for 746 more stripes and 13 scores.

Peluchette was chosen first-team All-State as a junior and senior, also serving as captain of those two squads. He was tabbed honorable mention All-State as a sophomore.

Peluchette was also a first-team All-OVAC selection in his final two seasons, again serving as a captain of those teams.

In 2007, the talented signal-caller received the prestigious Dapper Dan Player of the Year Award.

Peluchette also played basketball for Central. He lettered three years on the Maroon hardwood.

He was captain of the Central hoop team that won the state championship in 2008. He was named to the All-Tournament team.

MO MULL (Class of 1998) – Mull was a four-year basketball standout for the Maroon Knights. She eclipsed the 1,000-point mark during her Central career, including leading the state in three-point made goals in her senior campaign.

She was a second-team All-State selection as a senior to go along with first-team All-OVAC and All-Valley plaudits her final two hoop campaigns at the East Wheeling school. Moreover, the sweet-shooting guard was twice selected to the WVSSAC All-State All-Tournament Team.

Mull's accolades also included being named the MVP twice in the Undo's Catholic Classic.

In addition to her tremendous basketball achievements, Mull was a member of two Maroon Knights' state softball championship teams. She also was a one-year Central cross country runner.

After her sparkling Maroon career, Mull took her immense hoop skills to Wooster College. She was a two-year starter for the Fighting Scots. She was selected to the All-Tournament team in the Penn State Erie Tournament, and established a school record for three-point goals made while leading the NCAC in scoring as a sophomore.

Mull then transferred to WVU, earning her B.S. Degree in Exercise Physiology.

ZACK STAHL (Class of 2010) – Stahl was a versatile three-sport standout during his Central days, sparkling in football, hockey and lacrosse.

Stahl was an active middle linebacker for the Maroon Knights, leading the team in tackles as a senior.

His athleticism carried over to the ice, where he skated to an impressive career.

Stahl was a three-time PIHL All-Star, including one team championship. Stahl was synonymous with success, as he also helped his Maroon Knights to a pair of West Virginia state crowns. He was chosen tournament MVP in the 2010 state championship season.

Stahl was selected Wheeling Elks Player of the Month in March of 2010. It marked the first time a hockey player had ever been honored.

After his playing days ended, Stahl returned to Central as head hockey coach from 2013-18. He guided the Maroon Knights to three state championships during that time.

It was in lacrosse, however, that Stahl scripted his most playing success. So much so that in 2010 he was accorded U.S. Lacrosse All-American honors, becoming the first player in West Virginia annals to gain that lofty designation.

Stahl led Central to the state championship in his senior year, earning title-game MVP honors. In that campaign, Stahl was the second leading scorer in the nation, according to MaxPreps.

Stahl was first-team all-state as a junior and senior while being named to the second team as a sophomore.