Rooted deep in sports history, Weirton, West Virginia proudly serves as home to some of the greatest athletes in the professional sports world. Most started on the same field as athletes today. Whether it’s playing football at the Jimmy Carey Stadium or fielding a double-play at the Edwin Bowman Baseball Field. The field grounds within Weirton, West Virginia have been garnished with some of the greats.
Quincy Wilson, a decorated athlete, honed his skills as a running back for the Weir High Red Riders where he solidified his name in West Virginia history as the first football player to ever rush for more than 3,000 yards in a single season. Wilson would continue his football career as a West Virginia Mountaineer and carry his legacy onto the NFL stage as a running back for the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals.
Mary Lou Kolanko, a member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, was proud to call Weirton home as she made a name for herself on the diamond as one of the fastest runners in the league splitting her time between the Peoria Redwings and the Springfield Sallies. Her time spent on the field gained her recognition at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Mike Krak, a member of the West Virginia University Hall of Fame and golf standout, garnered his skills starting at home in Weirton. Krak successfully played in 15 majors on the PGA Tour and also won multiple long drive competitions within the PGA Championships.
The Highlands Sports Complex now serves as a hot commodity for Weirton athletes to sharpen their skill-sets year round. A mere 60-minute drive to the complex allows athletes from Weirton to continue their training and conditioning both during season and off-season as the complex generates a multifaceted space for athletes to garner success.