RIPLEY, W. Va. (WV News) – Years from now when someone glances at the long list of those who have been honored with Ripley High School’s prestigious Athlete of the Year awards, they will see the names of Isaiah Casto and McKennan Hall.
The two double-sport standouts were honored for 2023 last Friday during the school’s annual Formal Awards ceremony.
Both will be graduating this Friday.
Casto enjoyed a solid high school career at Ripley as both a basketball and baseball player for the blue and white.
Casto was the point guard on the Viking basketball team that reached the Class AAA State Tournament this past season – just the second in school history to do so.
He earned Class AAA Honorable Mention All-State honors at the season’s end.
In baseball, Casto was rock-solid in center field for the Vikings.
“I’m blessed to receive the award,” Casto said. “It’s not something I ever dreamed of winning but I am glad my hard work has paid off in another way.
“I couldn’t have ever done anything near that without the support of everyone from the town of Ripley. It’s the best sports environment to be around. Everyone has your back and support what you choose to do.
“But I’m truly blessed to be able to put my athletic abilities on display for the last four years and I won’t forget all the memories I made with my teammates and coaches.”
Casto will attend West Virginia University-Parkersburg. His future plans are to become an electrician with Constellium.
Hall was also superb on the court and the diamond at Ripley High School.
She was a talented point guard for John Kennedy’s Lady Viking program which just missed playing for the Class AAA state basketball championship this past March.
Ripley reached the semifinals, falling to eventual champion North Marion.
Hall was named the Class AAA Second Team All-State captain following Ripley’s glorious run during postseason play.
In softball, Hall manned the all-important shortstop position throughout her career.
She enjoyed an outstanding senior season in that sport as well with Ripley winning a Class AAA sectional title.
“It’s truly an honor to be named the Female Athlete of the Year,” Hall said “I wouldn’t be here without my relationship with the Lord. I give him all the glory.
“Ever since I was really young, being one of the Athletes of the Year has been a huge goal and finally getting to accomplish it and mark it off the check list makes every workout and practice worth it.
“I couldn’t be where I am without my family.
“I also want to thank every coach I’ve had that has pushed me to my best abilities and always having confidence in me throughout my years.”
Hall plans to continue her education and athletic career at West Virginia State University, where she will play basketball.
Ripley High Athletes of the Year
1969-Terry Landis; 1970-Jay Chambers; 1971-Gerald Matheny; 1972 Joey Crum; 1973-Jim Abshire; 1974-Bobby Casto; 1975-Mike Ludwig; 1976-Rod Winters & Sherry Hunt; 1977-Ron Arthur; 1978-Mitch Carmichael; 1979-Tommy Hayes; 1980-Butch Barnette; 1981-Phyllis Chancey; 1982-Steve Jordan; 1983-Brad Hunt; 1984-Dave Chancey; 1985-Matt Carver; 1986-Cindy Lanham; 1987-Mike Duke; 1988-Paul Blankenship; 1989-Ashli White; 1990-Benjie Hunt; 1991-Lisa Thompson; 1992-Cheryl Crawford; 1993-Clifton Landis; 1994-Brett Hunt; 1995-Matt Parsons; 1996-Will Hosaflook; 1997-Amaris Easter; 1998-Jimmy Knight & Kelli Rose; 1999-Kevin Thompson & Miranda Spangler; 2000-Derek Snyder & Bobbi Boggess; 2001-Jon Spencer & Erica Shaffer; 2002-Brock Stotts & Jessica Motes; 2003-Jeff McCoy & Christina Gossett; 2004-Jonathan Melhorn & Alison Spiker; 2005-Mitch Smith & Cara Waybright; 2006-Parker Deem & Ashton Canter; 2007-Brett Barnette & Jaimie Casto; 2008-Dewey Young & Tanya Melhorn; 2009-Seth Parsons & Michelle Sayre; 2010-David Heis & Alannah Sheets; 2011-Derek Mullins & Savana Whiting; 2012-David Hicks & Ryne Hill; 2013-Daryl Hicks & Ali Cunningham; 2014-Kade Harrison & Chelsey Hager; 2015-Jake Martin & Holly Farkosh. 2016-Luke Layhew & Audra Thomas; 2017-Anthony Jarvis & Laurel Miller; 2018-Sam Pierson & Presley Fisher; 2019-Caydan Keeler & Taylor Kennedy; 2020-Broedy Boyce & Tori Starcher; 2021-Kadin Hall & Jaydn Casto; 2022-Brett Haskins & Katy Lawrence; 2023-Isaiah Casto & McKennan Hall
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