WHEELING - Today has been designed not for getting, but giving. With that in mind, here are my 2010 gifts to the sporting world.
Brent Croasmnun: A couple 6-foot-5, 230-pound linemen transferring into Paden City.
Justin Balwanz: Another shot at Wheeling Central in the playoffs for his Hundred boys' basketball team.
Herman Pierson: A state-tournament berth for his Trinity Christian boys' team, which has been one of the best in the state the last several seasons.
Paul Rose: A return to prominence for his St. John football program, which showed signs it is regaining form this season.
Scott Moyer: For his Bishop Rosecrans football team to get back to the postseason.
Dave Caldwell: The continued maturation of starting quarterback Teryn Jarrett, who's going to be a good one.
John Durdines: A little respect for what ended up as the best season in Bishop Donahue football history.
Mike Nogay: For his Madonna wrestling team to have a big showing at the OVAC Tournament
Mike Fierbaugh: A Bob Huggins clone for his Conotton Valley boys.
Larry Weekley: An OVAC title in his last season as coach of the Valley girls' basketball team.
Eric James: That his young Cameron baseball team will take the next step this season.
Eric Meek: A couple more victories to get the Toronto football team back where it belongs - in the postseason.
Jim Elliott: The type of relationship with Dana Holgorsen that he has built with Bill Stewart.
Josh Strope: A deep run into the playoffs for his Chicago Bulls.
Rick Thorp: The complete DVD set of the famed show "Seinfield."
Nick Bedway: Continued zeal for following our youth, a gift that he began giving more than four decades ago.
Don Clegg: A long overdue spot in the OVAC Hall of Fame.
Tracy Watson: A rightfully deserved MVP award for Tom Brady.
Roger Kirkpatrick: A few more Fickiesens for his Frontier football team.
Frank Spence: A berth in the OVAC championship game for his Steubenville Catholic baseball team.
Mark Holenka: His just due for molding a Shadyside football team that nobody outside of his locker room expected to contend, into a state title game participant.
Phil Acrie: Continued good health during his college career for the Linsly standout, who was one of the best running backs in the Ohio Valley.
Dave Skinner: A return to prominence for his Wellsville football program.
Tom Pasco: The type of success for his Bridgeport baseball team that he's experienced with Wheeling Post 1.
Mike DeVol: A chance for his Caldwell football team, which just missed the playoffs this season, to get over the hump.
Jayson Stephen: A continued run of excellence for the Barnesville wrestling program, which he is directing for the first time this season.
Lee Peluchette: Continued ascension to the top of the Class A quarterback ladder, which is where he figures to be next season.
Mike Flannery: Another kicker with the foot of the graduating Tanner Wright.
Kevin Davis: The second coming of Jed Stephen for his Shenandoah baseball team.
Dan Lietdke: An understanding family while he coaches both the boys' and girls' basketball teams at Fort Frye for the second season in a row.
Tyler Kinchen: An All-Ohio football honor for the Monroe Central standout, who is one of the most versatile players in the valley.
Ben Roethlisberger: A third Super Bowl trophy to silence all the doubters who somehow still exist.
Roger Goodell: The wisdom to wait until the end of the season the next time he decides the NFL will start enforcing rules more strictly.
Danny Sancomb: Another batch of top-notch recruits for the Wheeling Jesuit men.
Gary Krol: The West Liberty offensive coordinator deserves to be a head football coach somewhere. Here's hoping it's sooner, and not later.
Andrew Sachs: A continued run of victories in the new year for his Bethany men's basketball team.
Stan Drulia: An ECHL North Division title and a spot in the playoffs for the coach of the Wheeling Nailers.
Jose Davis: Another pass-catch duo like Anthony Rocchio and Devin Ward for the Bellaire football team.
Ty Sichina: Another year of eligibility for former Buckeye Trail standout quarterback-linebacker Jeff Snedegar, the runner-up for Ohio's Mr. Football in 1999.
Dave Cisar: A Stanley Cup championship for his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins.
Richard Summers: Another deep postseason run for his Tyler Consolidated volleyball team.
Scott Roth: Another solid showing at the Ohio State Wrestling Tournament for members of his Martins Ferry team.
Bernie Thompson: A shot at playing football - somewhere - on the collegiate level for the Union Local star, who is the arguably the best receiver the Ohio Valley has to offer.
Donnie Bethel: Another arm attached to a girl with the last name Pelegreen for his Harrison Central softball team.
Kim Clifford: Enough basketballs to go around for his ultra-talented St. Clairsville boys' squad.
Chance Rowland: The college destination of his choosing. Some coach is going to get quite the player when this Oak Glen football standout shows up on campus.
Joe Pepe: That his Weir boys' soccer team can get over the hump and bring a state title back to the Northern Panhandle.
Mike McKenzie: The continued upward swing of his Edison football program.
Richard Hall: A staring role for the former Wheeling Park all-stater on the Akron football team.
Zach Amedro: A little recognition for being the NCAA Division II career passing yardage leader, which he didn't get from Harlon Hill voters.
Bill Stewart: A chance to land on his feet with another program. Say what you will about his coaching, but a nicer man you will not find.
Nate Davis: A great offseason and a chance at the starting QB gig in San Francisco next year.
Sidney Crosby: A Hart Trophy that somehow keeps eluding the game of hockey's best player.
Bob Shepard: Another stellar season for his Cambridge softball team, which has been one of the OVAC's most consistent the last 5 years or so.
Shelby Stover: Recognition on the state level for the Meadowbrook girls' basketball star.
Mark Asher: Back-to-back playoff berths for the East Liverpool football team.
George Laase: A return to the good old days - when he starred - for his Buckeye Local baseball team.
Niko Otto: As strong a college career as the one he had at Indian Creek, where he was the best linebacker in the valley.
John Eckroth: A state crown for the top-notch Steubenville wrestler.
Rich Wright: A return to old-time Beaver Local football, which means one playoff berth after another.
Chad Grandstaff: That his opponents will win a few more games this year and permit a stellar Zanesville football team to make the playoffs.
Ryan Lazear: Continued success in whatever he chooses for the Brooke football star, who happens to be one of the classiest kids around.
Ed West: Another trip to the state tournament for the John Marshall softball team.
Ray Petrisin: A third consecutive Class AAA title for the University girls' soccer team.
John Bowers: Another kid like Joey Musick, who was a coach's dream.
Paul Jackson: Yet another crown for the Parkersburg South wrestling program, which is hands-down the best this state has to offer.
Michael Jebbia: The opportunity for the second unit of his Wheeling Park boys' basketball team to compete for all the marbles. The Patriots are that good, folks.
To our loyal readers: A safe and happy holiday season where whatever you may be dreaming of, comes true.
My wife, Jess: The kind of year that matches the woman you are to me and our family - perfect.
Isabella, my daughter: All the happiness that a sweet, innocent little girl so rightly deserves.
Our unborn child: A safe and timely trip into the world.
Merry Christmas, Ohio Valley.
Shawn Rine can be reached via e-mail at Rine@theintelligencer.net
