WHEELING -- As the numbers and awards have piled up, West Liberty's Zach Amedro has remained humble. It's never been, and never will be, about the 6-foot, 190-pound rising redshirt senior.

A John Marshall High School graduate and Moundsville native, Amedro helped the Hilltoppers reach national prominence this season as they advanced to the NCAA Division II national football quarterfinals.

Along the way, the quarterback put up some staggering numbers: 65.2 completion percentage, 4,945 yards, which is the second-highest total in D-II history, 49 touchdowns, which ranks fourth all-time in the same division, and he was the only quarterback in all NCAA divisions to eclipse 300 yards passing in every game.

Amedro ranked second in the country in yards per game (381.7), No. 3 in total offense (380.7) and No. 4 in passing efficiency (172.9) as he spearheaded West Liberty to a No. 9 national ranking, and a school-record 11-victory season on his way to being named West Virginia Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and the first-team quarterback on the prestigious Associated Press Little All-America team.

Those numbers allowed him to finish second in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

He finished second that day, but there's nobody better today.

Amedro was selected as the 76th winner of the Hardman Award, given annually to the top amateur athlete in the state of West Virginia. It's the oldest award handed out by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

"Wow, it's definitely humbling," Amedro said. "God blessed me with a great career so far and it's been fun.

"This season was really special, and with everyone we have coming back and the recruiting class we're bringing in, there's no reason we can't do it again next year."

Amedro will receive the award May 2 in Morgantown, at the 64th Victory Awards Dinner.

Huntington gymnast Kayla Williams was the runner-up in the voting. Williams, a 16-year-old Huntington High School student won gold on the vault at the World Championships in London. She also won Junior Olympic titles in the all-around, vault and floor and was second on balance beam.

The other finalists in order of finish were:

Tim Phillips, a Parkersburg High School senior capped an unbeaten swimming career and set four state meet records while earning All-American status in two events. He was a U.S. 18-under national champion in the 100 butterfly, and as a freshman at Ohio State set the 100 butterfly team record, and two OSU meet marks.

Aaron Dobson, was a freshman receiver this season on the Marshall University football team. He won the Evans Award last year as the state's top boys' basketball player while competing for South Charleston High School, and also led the football team to the first of two state titles. He helped the U.S. win a gold medal at the Junior World Championships.

Tim Fisher, a Statts Mills native, captured his second consecutive W.Va. Amateur Golf Championship.

Noel Devine, the WVU running back, was named All-Big East and was second in the conference in rushing and 17th nationally.

Jedd Gyorko, a University High grad and WVU shortstop, he was named the NCAA District II Player of the Year.

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