East Hardy High School hosted its annual athletics banquet and honored the student-athletes for their contributions to the athletic programs this past school year.
Most of the Cougars sports teams reached their respective state tournaments with included individual state championships in girls wrestling, boys track and girls track.
The Cougars recognized top student-athletes with special awards.
East Hardy Girls Athlete of the Year was Morganne Miller.
East Hardy Boys Athlete of the Year was Evan Hamilton.
Pete Vance Leadership Award was bestowed upon Mason Hamilton.
East Hardy Jamie Good Award for faith and sportsmanship was presented to Joseph Price.
The prestigious Ralph J. Bean Award for academic success, faith, leadership and good character was bestowed upon Bodie Brill.
The Cougars had tremendous team success throughout the year.
East Hardy Girls Cross Country team finished as the Class A Region II Tournament Runner-up sending all members to the state meet: Madison Cowgill, Gracie Heishman, Shaye Barb, Danielle Funkhouser and Brianna Hamilton. East Hardy Boys Cross Country duo of Jonathan Montgomery and Kane Persinger joined the girls with individual state berths. berths.
East Hardy Football reached the state quarterfinals.
Cougars Football award recipients were: Levi Price – MVP, Garrett Van Meter – Most Versatile, Korbin Miller – Most Dominant Lineman, Trevor Roof – Offensive MVP, Micah Ludwig – Defensive MVP, and Bodie Brill – Breakout Player of the Year.
East Hardy Volleyball made its 17th state tournament appearance in program history and finished in the state semifinals.
East Hardy Golf competed in the regional tournament.
The Cougars Boys Basketball team earned a fourth consecutive state tournament appearance and a spot in the state semifinals.
East Hardy Wrestling had an illustrious state tournament appearance with senior Morganne Miller claiming the 145-lb. state championship to cap off her stellar career with a 94-7 record which included being the four-time Potomac Valley Conference Most Outstanding Girls Wrestler and a member of the 2023 state championship team.
Miller was recognized as the 2026 West Virginia recipient of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award for academic success and leadership through citizenship and community service.
“As her coach, I’ve had the chance to see the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication she has put in for years. As her father, I couldn’t be any prouder of the young woman she has become. Morganne has represented East Hardy the right way in the classroom, in competition, and in our community, This is a well-deserved honor, and one she truly deserves,” East Hardy Wrestling coach Steven Miller commented.
East Hardy Girls Wrestling junior Madilyn Funk earned a sixth place medal.
East Hardy Boys Wrestling junior Aaron Barb garnered a fifth place state medal and was the Class A-AA Region II champion.
East Hardy Girls Basketball reached the Class A Region II Championship game.
East Hardy Baseball was the Class A defending state champion and won the Region II championship before being ousted in the state quarterfinals.
East Hardy Softball won the Class A Region II Championship and earned the second state tournament trip in program history after a 15-year hiatus.
East Hardy Softball awards were given to: Madison Strosnider – Best Batting Average & Most Valuable Pitcher, Taylor McReynolds – Most Runs Scored, Jaylynn Combs – Most Improved, Paylynn Rexrode – Jason Foltz Leadership Award & Hustle-Hit-Play-With-Grit Award.
East Hardy Boys Track set a new state meet record with a gold medal finish in the 4×100 relay, Evan Hamilton won the gold medal in the 100 dash and Mason Hamilton won the gold medal in the 200 dash. The Hamilton twins swapped silver medals in those events.
East Hardy Girls Track’s Madison Kerr garnered back-to-back gold medals in the 100 meter hurdles.
The Cougars proved small schools can have a big impact in the Mountain State and each individual makes a difference.
