Magnolia Blue Eagle track and Cross Country standout Nathan Harshberger, seated at middle, signs a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic interests at Wheeling Jesuit University. Also seated are his parents, Dave and Liz Harshberger. Standing, from left, are MHS?Boys Track Coach Matt Quintet, MHS?Principal Kathi Schmalz, and MHS?Athletic Director Brian Castilow.

Nathan Harshberger, a Magnolia Cross Country and Boys’ Track runner, will continue his academic and athletic career at Wheeling Jesuit University.

Harshberger has been a four-year letterman in cross county and track and was cross-country team co-captain during his junior and senior seasons. He also was the track team’s tri-captain his senior season.

Besides running track and cross county for the Cardinals, he plans to major in athletic training and to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.

Among Harshberger’s achievements in his high school career, he helped his team win two cross-country championships in his senior year – the Wendy’s Brooke Invitational and the Magnolia Invitational. He also helped the Eagles capture second place in the OVAC Class AAA and the Region One Class A-AA Championship. He also helped the Blue Eagle Cross Country Team qualify for a state berth for the first time since 1996.

In track, he helped lead the Eagles to three meet championships during his senior season – the Tyler Consolidated Invitational, the Ritchie County Invitational, and the OVAC Class AAA Championship, earning the first OVAC title since 1997. In addition, Magnolia was runner-up in the WV Class AA Region One Championships and fifth in the West Virginia Class AA State Championships.

Harshberger’s individual accomplishments in track include a first place finish in the 1,600 and the 3,200 meter run in 2009 at the Magnolia Invitational.

In addition to athletics, he was a member of the Blue Eagle Marching Band, Concert Band, and Percussion Ensemble. He also was a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honorary. In his spare time, he received a second-degree Black Belt in Chun Kuk Karate, certified by Chuck Norris.

Besides his high school activities, Harshberger is a member of the New Martinsville United Methodist Church, where he played the bass guitar in the Praise Band. He has helped with Helping Hand food ministry and to raise money for Judy’s Place, a domestic violence shelter. He also rang bells for the Salvation Army and helped with Kids College.

Harshberger has a 3.8 GPA and graduated with high honors. He was on the OVAC All Conference Academic Team and was a Rotary Student of the Month. He also received a Rotary Scholarship, Promise Scholarship and a Wheeling Jesuit University Presidential Scholarship, as well as an athletic grant.

He is the son of Liz and Dave Harshberger of New Martinsville and the grandson of Wanda and the late Terrill Jackson of New Martinsville; and Bernie and Wayne Harshberger of Beaufort, N.C., formerly of New Martinsville.