The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

Related Photos

  • Submitted photo

    1120 Graybeal.jpg
November 19, 2009

Graybeal inks with Glenville

By Dan Stillwell

“Leading off for the Warriors, catcher Cheyanne Graybeal.”

That’s something you don’t hear every day.

Graybeal doesn’t fit the stereotypes of a catcher — tall and rangy, compact and strong, or both.

Yet Wyoming East’s small and speedy Graybeal stood tall at the top of coach Robert “Doc” Warner’s batting card last spring.

She hit .434 and scored 19 times in the first inning for the 18-9 Warriors.

Her efforts have earned her a scholarship from West Virginia Conference power Glenville State.

“I didn’t think Cheyanne could play catcher in college because most catchers are big, but Glenville likes her,” Warner said.

“She plays hard and has a good work ethic. Other than size, everything else she does real good.”

Graybeal played center field when she was young, but decided she wanted to go behind the plate.

“I’ve caught ever since,” she said. “When you’re the catcher, you get to be part of every play.”

As a freshman, Graybeal played some outfield and second base.

She wasn’t happy about it.

“She did OK, but she wanted to go back to catcher,” Warner said. “When all my other catchers moved on, she was by far our best.”

Graybeal calls the pitches, and also has the challenging job of catching Warrior all-state pitcher Brandi McGraw, a fireballer who sometimes struggles with her control.

“I’m the only one who can catch her,” Graybeal said. “Sometimes she hurts my hand, and you have to be ready to break away at any time. It’s tough.”

While she’s well known as a catcher, many people don’t realize Graybeal is also a Wyoming East cheerleader.

In fact, she’s been a cheerleader since the second grade.

“I do it to keep myself busy and stay in shape,” she said. “But even when I’m cheering, I’ll be in the cages afterward.”

Graybeal visited Glenville last spring and loved it there.

“It’s homey and everybody’s family,” she said. “It felt like my home away from home.

“And their softball team is really good.”

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010