By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
There was a transformation in the Hive as three Yellow Jackets turned into Fighting Falcons with a triple signing day to Fairmont State University on Friday.
Moorefield High School seniors: Riley Pillus (wrestling), Earl Wyman (wrestling) and Brody See (football) extended their academic and athletic careers becoming Fighting Falcons with a triple signing.
Fairmont State University was founded in 1865 as a seminary for the Methodist Church became the West Virginia Normal School.
Fairmont State University features 120 acres and over 3,800 students enrolled.
The Fighting Falcons compete in the NCAA Division II within the Mountain East Conference.
The Fairmont State University Wrestling coach is Gennaro Bonaventura who is currently in his third season a the helm and has led the Fighting Falcons to two Mountain East Conference third place team finishes.
The Fighting Falcons were 11-14 last season and 13-13 during his first season in charge.
Coach Bonaventura has maintained the program’s NCAA Division II national championship representation and helped guide a national champion when coaching with Waynesburg University.
Pilus finished his high school wrestling tenure with over 150 career wins and a trip to the state tournament with a third place Class AA-A Region II medal and his tenacity will be an asset for Fairmont State.
Pillus plans to study business education.
“I am really excited. It is a great opportunity for me to show off my skills and what I can do academically. I think it will be a really good experience for me. [Campus] It was really welcoming. Everything was nice, the staff were nice and the students seemed really nice. I loved all of it. [Advice] No matter how hard it gets, no matter who you think believes in you or does’t, I feel you should always push through as hard as you can,” Moorefield senior Riley Pillus stated.
Wyman earned over 100 career wins and was the Class AA-A Region II runner-up to earn a state tournament trip to wrap up his senior year with determination and focus that will pay dividends as a future Fighting Falcon.
Wyman plans to study criminal justice.
“I am super excited and just ready for the experience. I am looking forward to learning and looking ahead I am just glad to be able to do this with my longtime friend Riley. I just want to learn and study and have a good time. I really liked everyone’s energy and how everyone was excited to be there with each other. Overall, the businesses, classes and study halls were setup very well. [Advice] Just always do your best and look forward to the future,” Earl Wyman commented.
Fairmont State University’s 19th Football head coach is Luke Barker who just completed his first season with a record of 7-4.
Baker was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the University of Charleston when they had MEC Offensive Player of the Year selections twice.
See helped the Yellow Jackets Football team reach the playoffs in his final season and was named to the All-Potomac Valley Conference team as an offensive lineman and his knowledge of the game and family heritage at Fairmont State will create positive support for Fairmont State.
See’s grandfather and brother played football for the Fighting Falcons, so the family tradition speaks volumes.
See plans to study business management.
“I am very excited. I love the game and just super excited to be able to go to a place where my granddad played and brother played. It’s a tradition for my family to go here and play sports. It is a newer campus with new buildings. The facilities are nice and they have a bunch of stuff that other places don’t have. [Advice] Don’t give up, no matter what anybody says. Don’t give up on what you believe in. If you believe in yourself, you can do it,” Moorefield senior Brody See remarked.
“[Brody See] I am proud of him. He has done a great job and has grown up a lot in the last four years to become a really good football player. I am excited to see what happens at the next level. [Riley Pillus & Earl Wyman] It is awesome to see that they are going to do something to study academics that they want to, but also be a part of a good tradition and a good program. I am proud of the work that they put in to be able to further their careers,” Moorefield assistant principal and football coach Matt Altobello noted.
This Yellow Jacket trio is set to soar as Fighting Falcons unified on this signing day.
