Students in the WPMQ Sportscasting classes at CHS have been hard at work preparing content for the upcoming winter sports season and they’re happy to share some schedule graphics with you! Feel free to save our graphics to your camera roll so you’ve always got them handy! We hope you’ll make it out to support our Pirates this winter! You can always follow the action through WPMQ or team’s individual social media accounts:
Recently, Charlestown soccer’s Jared Taylor was joined by family, coaches, friends, and teammates to witness him signing his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play soccer at Mount St. Joseph University next fall.
The 92-acre scenic campus overlooks the Ohio River just 15-minutes from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Mount St. Joseph University is a private institution that was founded in 1920. The university enrolls over 1,800 undergraduate students and approximately 300 graduate students across 48 undergraduate programs, nine associate degrees, pre-professional and certificate programs, and graduate programs.
Mount St. Joseph soccer, known as the Lions, competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference with Anderson University, Berea College, Bluffton University, Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Transylvania University. MSJ is home to 22 other varsity sports for both men and women.
Taylor told WPMQ, when asked about his choice to attend school and play soccer there, “I chose Mount St. Joseph because I believe it is somewhere that can help me excel not only athletically but academically as well. The people there, as well as Coach Clark made me feel like family. I am extremely grateful for everyone who has helped me get to this point. I am hoping to make them all proud and am excited to continue my future at The Mount!”
Charlestown soccer head coach Cristian Martinez shared his sentiments on Taylor’s decision and said, “Chase your dreams with the same passion you brought to the field. College is a new game, and I believe in your ability to score big. Remember, hard work and dedication are the keys to unlocking your full potential. Go make your mark!”
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Jared and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future at Mount St. Joseph University.
Contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Tatum Poirrier
Front Row (L to R): Jennifer Benner (Ava’s mother), Ava, Scott Benner (Ava’s father); Back Row (L to R): Brandon Nylin (CHS Volleyball Assistant Coach) and Hannah Nylin (CHS Volleyball Head Coach)
Recently, Charlestown senior Ava Benner was recently joined by family, coaches, teammates, and friends to sign her celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play volleyball at Midway University in the fall.
Midway University is a private Christian university in Midway, Kentucky just minutes from the Lexington area along I-64. The school is located on a 200-acre working farm in the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass region. It enrolls approximately 1,900 students earning two-year and four-year degrees as well as master’s degrees.
Midway is home to twenty-eight varsity teams for men, women, and co-ed sports and it competes in the River States Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The women’s volleyball team has posted winning records in four of its five seasons while most recently advancing to the conference tournament quarterfinals.
When asked about her choice to attend school and play volleyball at Midway University with the Eagles, Benner replied, “I chose Midway because from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt genuinely welcomed by not only the coaching staff, but by everyone I met. Coach Mang is an amazing person and immediately made me feel like I fit right in. I’m super grateful that she has given me this opportunity to continue doing what I love and fulfill my dreams. Additionally, the campus is absolutely beautiful and is everything I was looking for when visiting schools. I’m so excited to be on campus and continue my future at Midway! ” Benner plans to major in biology on the pathway to becoming an occupational therapist.
Charlestown Lady Pirates volleyball coach Hannah Nylin said: “Ava has been an exceptional athlete and strong leader in our program. Her continuous pursuit of excellence—balancing academics, athletics, and school/community involvement—has been truly inspiring. She has left a lasting impact on all of us, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. Midway is incredibly lucky to have her!”
Benner finished her Charlestown career with Mid Southern Conference All-Conference and Academic All State honors. She also charted over 500 career digs and over 750 career kills.
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Ava and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Midway University Eagle.
Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff
Recently in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Alexa Escamilla signed her national letter of intent to attend school and participate in bowling at North Carolina A & T in the fall.
Spread over 188 beautiful acres in Greensboro, North Carolina, the campus reflects the pride of every Aggie, with its modern facilities and diverse student resources. They offer 58 undergraduate degree programs, 18 minors, 13 doctoral degree programs, 36 master’s programs and 41 graduate certificate programs. Certificate programs and continuing education opportunities are available in a wide range of areas, as well. With an enrollment of over 14,000 students, North Carolina A&T is the largest historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States, a position it has held since 2014. Escamilla will major in biology on the pathway to pharmacy at North Carolina A & T.
The Aggies, with 13 sports -five for men and eight for women- compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in all sports with the exception of football and women’s bowling where they compete in the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference and just earned their 5th straight regular season conference title. They won the United States Bowling Congress’ Intercollegiate Team Championship in 2015.
Escamilla just completed her senior season for the Pirates as a three-time sectional and regional champion, and two time state finalist. When asked about her choice to play at North Carolina A & T with the Aggies, Escamilla replied, “I am choosing to go to NC A&T because of the incredible environment. I know that I will have all of the resources I need to be successful. Along with an amazing bowling team they have an even better Biology program that I plan to major in! I had the opportunity to meet people who were very genuine and helped make a hard decision, much easier. I am grateful for this opportunity to be a part of something amazing like this team because they have shown me I will be a part of their family. I know that I will feel at home with all of the people I will have around me. The faculty is also a huge part as to why I made my decision. They are willing to help with whatever I may need, especially schooling. A&T will help me grow as a person in both academics and as an athlete. These programs will help me have a future in the career that I know will fulfill me.”
Charlestown bowling coach Wesley Wiles commented on Alexa saying: “Alexa is one of the hardest working and most humble athletes that I have met. Her knowledge of the game and hunger to learn more makes Alexa one of the best bowlers I’ve witnessed. Alexa’s respectfulness and sportsmanship is top notch. I am proud of Alexa and can’t wait to see her continue to grow.”
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Alexa and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a North Carolina A & T Aggie.
There are no tournament season passes and Charlestown All Sports Passes are not valid for IHSAA state tournament series contests.
CHS students may purchase tickets via presale at lunch and when doing so they are entered into a drawing for a gift card!
BROADCASTS / MEDIA
Please beware of fraudulent links for video streaming! No one has acquired permission from the IHSAA to video stream this sectional. The only approved radio media through the IHSAA 360 Group for these sectional games are:
WPMQ 99.3 FM
WOCC 102.7 FM
WUME 95.3 FM
WKLO 96.9 FM
WSEZ 98.7 FM
Other media seeking coverage need to contact the tournament Media Director, Aiden Stewart, at aidenelisestewart.25@gmail.com for access.
Spectators are allowed to photograph and film the events as long as it is for personal use only and does not violate IHSAA copyright. FACEBOOK LIVE STREAMS ARE NOT PERMITTED!
OTHER
A. No publications, brochures, fliers, etc. of any kind, whether for sale or free-of-charge, are to be distributed at IHSAA tournament events without prior approval from the IHSAA.
B. Balloons, banners and/or posters, etc. are not permitted.
C. Cowbells and other such noise devices, banners, shakers on sticks, signs, posters, etc., are not permitted.
D. No live animal mascots are permitted.
E. Line-up lanes of fans shall not be permitted on the playing floor at any time.
F. Audio/video devices are not permitted on the playing floor.
G. The throwing of articles, including toilet tissue, is not allowed.
Charlestown High School is pleased to announce the hiring of Aaron Daniel as its new Head Football Coach. Coach Daniel brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the program.
Daniel has an impressive background in football that Charlestown faithful will be familiar with. During his 2009-2012 career as a Pirate he broke multiple school records, most notably the All Time Passing record and the record for Most Career Passing & Rushing Yards combined. Beyond his playing days as a Pirate standout, Daniel spent a year in the Indiana University football program.
Daniel has spent the past nine seasons at Bloomington South where he served four of those as a wide receivers coach and five as an offensive coordinator. He helped lead the Panthers to eight sectional championships and four semi-state appearances.
Coach Daniel expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “My family and I are excited for the opportunity to lead and work with a great community in Charlestown. Daniel will bring his wife (Taylor) and two children (Weston-3 years old and Austyn-4 months old) with him back to the community.
Charlestown High School welcomes the Daniel family and looks forward to all that he will bring to our historic football program.
Recently, Charlestown High School senior Aiden Stewart was joined by family, friends, and coaches as she became the first in the Pirates’ Class of 2025 to sign a celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play softball at Piedmont University next year.
Located in Demorest, Georgia and nestled on 300 beautifully wooded acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont’s main campus lies just minutes from the Chattahoochee River and about an hour each way to Athens and Atlanta. Students at Piedmont University are fortunate to live in one of the finest outdoor recreation areas in the U.S. and can enjoy hiking and camping in several nearby state and federal parks, get away from it all on the nearby Appalachian Trail and the Chattahoochee National Forest, or enjoy all a big city has to offer within an hour’s drive.
Piedmont University has 80 programs of study, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and the education specialist degree, with an undergraduate 10:1 student–faculty ratio, an average class size of ten students, and 99% of full-time students receiving financial aid with a 64% acceptance rate.
The Piedmont Lions compete at the NCAA Division III level in the Collegiate Conference of the South with member schools in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee including Agnes Scott College (GA), Asbury University (KY), Belhaven University (MS), Covenant College (GA), Huntingdon College (AL), LaGrange College (GA), Maryville College (TN), and Wesleyan College (MS). Piedmont is home to twenty two varsity sports for men and women. Piedmont University has earned three consecutive NCAA DIII Commissioners Cups which are given to top athletic program in USA South.
The Piedmont Lions Softball program has boasted a 511-281 record in its 20 year NCAA era with ten divisional titles, six conference tournament titles, and nine NCAA Tournament appearances under the same head coach.
Stewart will major in biology/chemistry with a concentration in marine science at Piedmont University. Ironically, the science building is named Stewart Hall. When asked about her choice to attend school there and play softball, she replied “I chose Piedmont for the home away from home feeling. Coaches Martin, Greer, and Whiteside have offered me the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing collegiate softball while also inviting me into a community of Christ where I can lead and build relationships with those around me. Additionally, I’ll be able to study biology in ways I didn’t know I could do. From the moment I stepped on campus to the non-traditional route of recruitment, and seeing so many signs of what feels like divine intervention, I knew Piedmont was the place for me and I can’t wait to begin my journey there and see where it leads me in this life!”
Charlestown softball coach Joe Witten shared his sentiments on Stewart saying, “Homerun-Goal-Touchdown-Score- Slam Dunk” : Piedmont tallies a winner! When I first met Aiden as a freshman, I was immediately drawn to her ability to ascertain what my message in class and to the team was very quickly. She has an instinctive ability to absorb information and then apply it much faster than nearly everyone her age. This is a real eye catcher for a coach and one that easily leads people without delay. She makes her day full of information, knowledge, and grit. Then she delivers on time as very few can these days. I am so fortunate and blessed to have had her briefly play a role through my life during these past few years. I can’t wait to see her name and her leadership forge these new waters as she continues to row the boat down south for her hometown, where it all began, as a Charlestown Pirate.”
WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Aiden and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Piedmont University Lion.
