Tuesday was a notable day for Braxton County at the West Virginia State Legislature. Delegate Lori Dittman recognized Coach Sterling Beane, Sr. for his 50 years of dedication to the students of Braxton County. She also recognized the BCHS Girls Cross Country team for their State Championship victory.
“When I learned of all that Coach Beane had accomplished and the years of commitment and service he has provided the students in our county, I knew I wanted to recognize him with a citation, a formal recognition from the House,” said Dittman. The Delegate made the presentations during a House of Delegates floor session January 23 and presented both with official House Citations.
The ceremonial document outline Braxton’s only wrestling head coach’s distinguished career. The House Citation stated that Coach Beane’s career following graduation from Gassaway High School began at Glenville State College in 1965. Sterling was a football player and education major. He was a four-year starter and letterman for the Pioneer football team, lettered in wrestling and ran track. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, social studies, and driver’s education.
Coach Beane served in the West Virginia National Guard, Company B 109 2nd Combat Engineers after graduating,
Over the span of his 50-year teaching career at Braxton County High School, 37 years full time and 13 years substituting, Coach Beane started a wrestling program and led the football, baseball, and track teams to win many titles. He has claimed 14 Regional Wrestling Championships, seven runner-up finishes, and his teams have finished in the top ten at the State Tournament 17 times.
Coach Beane was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022. He received the Kenny Wright Boys Coach of the Year award in 2016-17 and was the 2003-04 NFHS Coach of the Year.
Under his leadership, the Wrestling Program has become the winningest sports team in the history of Braxton County High School.
Dittman also announced that the Braxton County Board of Education had just approved an expansion and remodeling plan for the high school athletic building at BCHS Field and that the new facility would be dedicated and named after the legendary Coach Beane.
“The Braxton County Girls Cross Country won the state championship for the first time in school history, I knew they deserved to be recognized by the house as well. All the members of the team were once students of mine at Braxton Middle. I knew how hard they applied themselves in the classroom and wanted to note as well that their combined grade point average is a 3.9. We love them and are so proud of them! It was an honor for me to be a part of their recognition,” added Delegate Dittman.
The Braxton County High School Lady Eagles’ Team won the AA Cross Country Championship out of nine teams. Laura Cain and Addison Lloyd led the team, both finishing in the top 10.
“Coach Jennifer Knowles, Assistant Coach Robert Lloyd, Athletic Director Sharon Desper, Superintendent Donna Burge-Tetrick, Principal Lori Stover have shown extraordinary mentorship to the team on their path to victory, fostering a spirit of comradery and community; and
Therefore, the Braxton County High School Lady Eagles’ Team is hereby recognized for their championship title,” the Citation read.
“Seeing the support of our Board of Education, Dr Kenna Seal, Evelyn Post, Lisa Ratliff, Melissa Adkins, Principal Lori Stover, County Commissioner Lisa Mace Godwin, Heather Hardway and Superintendent Donna Burge Tetrick, along with family members and the wrestling team who came to support Coach Beane, made my heart overflow. One of the things I enjoy about living in Braxton is that the people show up,” concluded the representative.
