Leichty, who has dedicated 25 years to coaching and 13 seasons as the Tigersโ varsity head coach, continues to lead a program built on consistency, discipline, and a strong commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
Under his leadership, the Tigers completed an outstanding season with a 21โ4 record, matching the school record for wins in a single season. The team also tied the program record with a 14-game winning streak, equaling the mark set by the 2016โ2017 team.
โCoach Leichtyโs impact extends far beyond the scoreboard,โ said West Liberty-Salem High School Principal Dr. Greg Johnson. โHe exemplifies leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to our student-athletes. This recognition is a reflection of the culture he has built within our basketball program.โ
In addition to this honor, Leichty recently coached in the District 9 Senior All-Star Game, further recognizing his contributions to the sport and the success of his program.
Throughout his tenure, Leichty has emphasized teamwork, accountability, and character; values that continue to shape generations of West Liberty-Salem student-athletes.
West Liberty-Salem Schools congratulates Coach Leichty on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his continued dedication to the district and its students.

The West Liberty-Salem Tigers (21-3) delivered a dominant performance last night, defeating Greeneview 77-49 in the Southwest Division V District Semifinal!
The Tigers came out strong and never looked back, using balanced scoring and relentless energy to secure the win and punch their ticket to the District Championship game.
Leading the charge were:
๐พ Brevin Louden โ 19 points
๐พ Beckett Sullivan โ 19 points
๐พ Troy Christison โ 11 points
๐พ Sutton Wilcoxon โ 9 points
๐พ Carson Poppe โ 6 points
๐พ Brandel Sullivan โ 4 points
๐พ Sam Strapp โ 4 points
๐พ Josiah Johnson โ 3 points
๐พ Elijah Christison โ 2 points
The Tigers will now compete for the Southwest Division V District Championship:
๐ Middletown High School
๐ Saturday, March 7
โฐ 10:00 AM
๐ vs. Summit Country Day
Letโs pack the stands and bring the energy as our Tigers chase a District Title! ๐งก๐พ
#TigerPride #TournamentTime


The West Liberty-Salem Boys Bowling team saw its postseason run come to an end just short of the State Championships, finishing an impressive 11th out of 24 teams. With only the top four teams advancing, the Tigers competed hard until the very end and represented WL-S with pride.
Leading the way was Tucker Searles, who rolled a three-game series of 581, tying for 40th place out of 156 bowlers on the day.
Jerome Cordrey finished 60th,
Devon Jones tied for 63rd,
Zander Gluckle placed 78th, and
Bryant Eaton, who completed two games, finished 128th overall.
While the season may have ended just shy of Columbus, it will be remembered as one of the most successful in program history. The Tigers shattered multiple school records this year:
๐ฅ Bryant Eaton bowled the first perfect 300 game in school history.
๐ฅ Tucker Searles set a new school record for a three-game series with a 701.
๐ฅ The team set a school record for a match (two team games and four Baker games) with an incredible 2,887 pins.
๐ฅ The Tigers recorded a program-best 15 match wins this season.
๐ฅ They finished 7โ1 in OHC play, showcasing their dominance in conference competition.
In addition, Devon Jones and Jerome Cordrey earned All-Tournament Team honors at this yearโs Tiger Up Tournament.
This group not only competed at a high level, but they also raised the standard for WL-S Bowling. Their work ethic, teamwork, and drive led to a season filled with milestones and memories that will stand for years to come.
Congratulations to our Tigers on a historic season! ๐พ๐ค๐งก
#TigerPride

โค๏ธ๐งก Kids Heart Challenge - Full Hearts at WL-S! ๐งกโค๏ธ
Our elementary students have officially wrapped up the Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association, and WOW, did they show up in a BIG way!
The Kids Heart Challenge teaches students the importance of heart health, staying active, and helping others while raising funds to support lifesaving research and families impacted by heart disease. Itโs about learning to take care of our own hearts while being heroes for others. ๐ชโค๏ธ
And our Tigers did just that!
Together, our students raised an incredible $28,800!! ๐
We are especially proud to recognize these heart heroes who each raised more than $300 each and are pictured together:
Front Row:
Flint McNutt, Ella Wilkins, Thaddeus Cole, Drayce Gearheart, Deagan Wallace, Lakelynn Roberts
Back Row:
Lyla Powell, Lyda Stengel, Leah Huffman, Lincoln Sidders, Winnie Cotrell, Griffin Kimball, Nova Burton
It took the generosity, leadership, and heart of all of our students to make this BIG of a different and make our school community so proud. ๐งก
Thank you to our families, staff, and supporters who helped make this challenge such a success. Because of you, we are helping save lives, one healthy heart at a time.
#TigerPride #KidsHeartChallenge ๐พโค๏ธ
Your West Liberty-Salem 8th grade boys are bringing home the title after defeating Fairbanks 20-15 at Greenon!
Final Score
WL-S 20
Fairbanks 15
๐พ Tiger Scoring:
Mack Heminger โ 7
Liam Harrington โ 7
Foster King โ 5
Kipton Crowder โ 1
The Tigers finish the season 13-4 and are officially your OHC North Champions! ๐
We are so proud of the heart, grit, and determination these boys bring to the court every single game. They compete the right way and represent WL-S with pride.
Great job, Tigers! The future is bright! ๐งก๐พ

If youโve been stuck inside, this is your sign to get out and cheer on the Tigers! Weโve got a BIG weekend of events ahead!
๐๐คผ Kicking things off TONIGHT:
โข High School Boys Wrestling competes at Lehman Catholic
โข High School Girls Wrestling heads to Bellefontaine
โข HS Boys Basketball tips off at 6:00 PM vs. Triad
โญ Special Feature Tonight!
The Champaign County Special Olympics Wheelchair Basketball Game will take place during both JV and Varsity halftimes, an event you wonโt want to miss!
๐ Saturday Morning:
โข JH Boys Basketball hosts Triad at 10:00 AM
โข JH Girls Basketball travels to Northeastern
โข JV tips at 11:00 AM, followed by Varsity at 12:30 PM
๐ Saturday Evening Back at Home:
The Tigers host Jackson Center with JVB, JVA, and Varsity action beginning at 5:00 PM.
โจ Halftime Special Feature:
Enjoy a performance by Crown Gymnastics during halftime.
๐คผ Wrestling continues all weekend at Lehman Catholic and Bellefontaine
๐ณ Varsity Bowling will compete in OHC Tournament action at Beaver-Vue Lanes
Itโs a full slate of Tiger action, so pack the stands and show your support! ๐งก๐ฏ

Even with the weather throwing us a few curveballs, weโre back to our regular daily menu on Friday, January 30 โ and itโs a good one!
๐ Elementary Lunch
โข Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza
or
โข Hamburger on a Bun
๐ฅฆ Sides: Steamed Broccoli, Celery w/ Dressing, or Small Salad
๐ Fruit Juice, Frozen Fruit Cup, or Craisins
๐ฅ Milk choice included
๐ Middle School / High School Lunch
โข Chicken with Rice & Dinner Roll
โข Hamburger on a Bun
โข Spicy Chicken Pattie on a Bun
โข Green Beans
Thanks for your flexibility this week โ weโre happy to be back on schedule and serving up some Friday favorites! ๐งก๐ฏ

West Liberty-Salem Athletics is excited to offer Tiger Athletic Updates through SportsYou, a simple way for community members to receive real-time push notifications when athletic schedules change.
By signing up, youโll receive immediate alerts for:
โ๏ธ Game time changes
โ๏ธ Cancellations
โ๏ธ Rescheduled contests
As always, we will continue to share athletic updates on our district website, our website's LiveFeed, and Facebook page. SportsYou is an additional option for those who want instant notifications delivered directly to their phone.
๐ฒ How to Join:
Download the SportsYou app and enter the access code below:
๐ Access Code: 49RR-S5QS
Whether youโre a parent, grandparent, or community supporter, this is a great way to stay connected to Tiger Athletics all season long!
๐งก Go Tigers ๐ฏ

Please note there have been a few changes to this weekโs schedule, including this eveningโs events:
๐ This Evening
โข No JVB game due to low Greeneview numbers
โข JV will tip off at 6:00 PM, followed by Varsity at 7:30 PM
๐ Saturday
โข Junior High will make up games with West Jefferson beginning at 10:00 AM
๐ Swimming Update
โข The swim meet originally scheduled for Wednesday has been rescheduled to February 4
Thank you for your flexibility as we adjust. As always, please watch for any additional updates, and Go Tigers! ๐ฏ

Itโs another busy week for our Tigers, and our student-athletes are ready to compete, grow, and represent West Liberty-Salem with pride!
Whether itโs on the court, mat, lanes, or pool, your support makes a difference. Come out, wear your orange and black, and cheer on our Tigers as they give it their all this week. ๐ฃ
๐ฏ Go Tigers! ๐งก

Our 6th grade boys' and girls' teams were busy on the court this weekend, showing grit, hustle, and Tiger pride!
๐ฏ 6th Grade BOYS
The boys picked up a nice win and came this close in a hard-fought battle:
โ WLS def. Bellefontaine 31โ22
๐ฅ Braxton Louden โ 17
Isaac Fallon โ 6
Hayes Robison โ 3
Jack Troyer โ 3
Jackson Barth โ 2
โ WLS fell to North Union 30โ29 (one-point game!)
๐ฅ Braxton Louden โ 13
Isaac Fallon โ 7
Jack Troyer โ 4
Jackson Barth โ 3
Maddax Dobberstein โ 2
๐ฏ 6th Grade GIRLS
The girls faced a tough weekend but continued to compete and grow together:
๐ Saturday: WLS fell to Bellefontaine 21โ16
Bentley Sullivan โ 6
Addison Falloon โ 4
Harper Patton โ 2
Claudia Louth โ 2
Paisley Strapp โ 2
๐ Sunday: WLS fell to North Union 22โ6
Lily Erickson โ 2
Claudia Louth โ 2
Loralye Jones โ 1
Bentley Sullivan โ 1
The girls now sit at 2โ2 on the season and are back in action this weekend as they travel to Triad on Saturday and Madison-Plains on Sunday.
Proud of the effort, teamwork, and heart from both squads. Keep working, Tigersโbig things ahead! ๐งก๐พ


Weโre excited to share another milestone in our Fieldhouse project! Grace Link, Project Architect, recently took to the skies to capture drone photos of the completed bar joistsโan exciting step forward as the structure continues to take shape.
Winter weather can make drone flights challenging due to strong winds, which makes these images even more special. Each update brings us closer to a space that will serve our students, student-athletes, and the entire West Liberty-Salem community.
Thank you for continuing to follow along as we share progress on a project that represents growth, opportunity, and connection. More updates coming soonโwe canโt wait to keep showing you whatโs ahead! ๐ฏโจ

Join us on Thursday, January 30, as we host a Wheelchair Basketball game during halftime of the Boys JV and Varsity home basketball games vs. Triad.
This special event is open to any school-age student from Champaign, Logan, and Madison Counties who uses a wheelchair or adaptive equipment, and itโs an exciting opportunity to celebrate inclusion, teamwork, and the love of the game.
Come cheer on these athletes, support adaptive sports, and be part of a night that truly represents the heart of our Tiger community. ๐ฏ
For participation information, please contact Alycia Smith or Chasity Gregorek (see flyer for details).
๐งก๐ค Letโs pack the gym and show our Tiger pride! ๐งก๐ค

The Tigers are back in action after a short break! ๐งก๐ค
Check out this weekโs Athletic Week at a Glance and come support our student-athletes as they kick off the new year.
Letโs pack the stands and cheer on the Tigers!
Go Tigers! ๐พ


Another exciting week is ahead in Tiger Nation, and weโve got a lineup of activities and athletic events to keep you cheering! From contests to special events happening throughout our district, thereโs always something to look forward to at WL-S.
Check out this weekโs schedule below to stay up-to-date and support our Tigers wherever they are! ๐งก๐ค
Letโs make it a great week!
#TigerNation #WLSPride #WeekAtAGlance

Letโs pack the gym, bring the noise, and show these athletes the support they deserve as they tip off the 2025โ26 season! ๐ ๐ฅ
๐ Purchase your tickets here:
https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/wlstigers/entity/schools/2
(Cash is accepted)
See you Friday nightโGo Tigers! ๐งก๐พ๐ค
#TigerNation #WLSHoops #GoTigers

The Big Orange continues to shine on the state stage! West Liberty-Salem is proud to recognize our boysโ and girlsโ cross country athletes who earned All-Ohio honors this season for their outstanding performances at the OHSAA State Championships.
๐ Boys All-Ohio Honorees
๐ฅ 1st Team All-Ohio
โข Caleb Larson โ 10th overall
โข Asher Cole โ 17th overall
๐ฅ 2nd Team All-Ohio
โข Dylan King โ 39th
โข Brayan Gullett โ 47th
๐ Academic All-Ohio
โข Sr. Caleb Larson
โข Sr. Dylan King
โข Sr. Garrett Wallen
๐ Girls All-Ohio Honorees
๐ฅ 1st Team All-Ohio
โข Malia Miller
๐ฅ 2nd Team All-Ohio
โข Addi Wallen
๐ Academic All-Ohio
โข Addi Wallen
โข Isla Leichty
โข Mariska Smith
These Tigers exemplify excellence in every sense โ discipline, heart, and leadership both on the course and in the classroom. Congratulations to all of our All-Ohio runners for representing West Liberty-Salem with pride!
๐งก๐ค #BigOrange #AllOhio #WLSPride #CrossCountryTradition
