ONA -- Cabell Midland High School student-athletes Tyler Anderson and Jessica Beihl were rewarded for their leadership, hard work and talent with college scholarships.

Anderson, a multi-sport athlete, is going to play football at WVU Tech. Beihl signed Monday for women's soccer at Wheeling Jesuit University. WVU Tech in Montgomery is a member of the NAIA's Mid-South Conference. Wheeling Jesuit is an NCAA Division II member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Anderson is considered a leader by coaches and teammates no matter what the sports season he's involved in. It isn't because he's the most vocal player on the team. Instead, it's because of his work ethic.

The same work ethic carried him to a 4.6 GPA and a starting spot on the boys basketball team after beginning the the season as a role player off the bench.

He's joining four of his teammates at WVU Tech.

"That's the best part of it all," Anderson said. "We've made so many memories over the years and it's great to know that we are going to continue to do so over the next four years."

Anderson became a fixture on both sides of the ball for the Knights on the football field during his senior season, and he quickly molded into one of the offensive leaders for Cabell Midland football Chip McMillian.

McMillian said it was all attributed to work ethic, which brought Anderson back from a broken collarbone that wiped out his junior season.

"Tyler is a model of perseverance and passion for the game of football. He had a severe injury his junior year, but came back as a senior to lead us in rushing and finish second in receiving," McMillian said. "I'm looking for him to do a lot of things in the future."

Most recently, Anderson has proven to be a spark on the Knights' basketball team.

Curry Haggerty is the Knights' boys basketball coach and also an assistant coach for McMillian on the football team. When his basketball team needed a spark, he turned to Anderson to step into the starting lineup.

Anderson followed with a career-game to lead Cabell Midland past South Charleston and into the Mountain State Athletic Conference championship game against George Washington.

"The reason he is having success is because he works so hard in practice, he never says a word and he's taken advantage of his shot," Haggerty said. "Good things happen to good people."

He was a Class AAA football all-state honorable mention selection and received All-MSAC special honorable mention recognition.

Many of the same characteristics found in Anderson are also present in Beihl, whose dedication to soccer and versatility helped her secure her future at Wheeling Jesuit.

"I have grandparents and family up there, so that was a big part," Beihl said. "People always told me that once you step on the campus for a visit that you know. That was the first school in which I stepped there and felt like that. It was a good feeling."

Beihl began playing soccer at six years old and joined a travel club at the age of 10. Since then, she has been refining her skills in anticipation of this particular day.

"It's a big accomplishment. All the money that was put in toward soccer has paid off and I am glad to play at the next level," Beihl said. "It has always been one of my goals."

The versatile Beihl was one of the MSAC's top offensive midfielders in her junior season, connecting with teammates on several long assists in leading the Knights to the regional finals.

She put the team first during her senior season, moving to more of a defensive position to neutralize the opposing team's top scoring threats.

Beihl said there were several Cabell Midland memories she will take with her forever, including getting a picture of David Beckham playing live at Crew Stadium in Columbus, being a major contributor to three sectional titles for the Knights in four years and the many friendships made with teammates, coaches and parents.

She was chosen as a Class AAA all-state honorable mention player. She was on the All-MSAC second team.

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