West Virginia Tech got a big surprise this season. A 6-foot-5 big surprise.

Former Ironton pitcher Greg Linn has turned into one of the top pitchers on the Tech staff in his freshman season.

On March 8, Linn got his first college victory as he pitched five innings in a 3-2 win over Gannon, Pa. Both runs Linn allowed were unearned.

Linn is 1-1 on the season. He has three no-decisions as a starter and he has made two relief appearances.

“I feel like I’m getting better. I’m throwing in the mid 80s now,” Linn said.

Linn was a Southeast Coaches Association all-district selection last season at Ironton. He posted a 5-1 record as a senior including a no-hitter in the sectional championship game against Chesapeake.

Tech is 14-18 on the season.

Player of the week

Former Symmes Valley Lady Vikings pitcher Lori Harmon has her first college award.

Harmon, a freshman hurler for Shawnee State University, was named the American Mideast Conference softball Pitcher of the Week for April 3-9.

Harmon was 3-0 with wins over Mt. Vernon, Cedarville and Seton Hill. In 21 innings, Harmon, who is 13-4 on the season, allowed three earned runs, 17 hits, no walks and had 16 strikeouts.

Harmon pitched the Lady Vikings to a Division IV state runner-up last season and was a three-time All-Ohio first team selection.

Waginger to WCU

Brigham Waginger played with his friend Nick Aldridge at South Webster this past season and won a Division IV state championship.

The friends will try to continue their success at the next level after Waginger signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball at Western Carolina.

Aldridge has already committed to the Catamounts program.

Waginger scored 1,000 points during his career. He averaged 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals a game as he was named the Division IV Southeast district co-Player of the Year.

Waginger played the past three seasons at Ironton and helped the Fighting Tigers to a Division III state runner-up in 2005.

Waginger is the son of John and Jeanette Waginger of Hanging Rock and the grandson of Andy and Barbara Waginger of Hanging Rock and Larry and Wanda Wilson of Ironton.

Howard coaches

All-American

Former Ironton football and basketball star Rick Howard has found life as the girls head basketball coach at Heritage, TN., successful.

Howard guided his team to a 27-7 record this past season despite losing star senior guard Cait McMahan to a knee injury in the fifth game.

McMahan became the first player Howard has coached to be named a Parade All-American. She has signed to play at the University of Tennessee for coach Pat Summitt.

Howard knows about success in basketball. He was a four-year starter at Ironton and helped the Fighting Tigers to

the regional finals his senior season.