## Cardinal Standouts Shine: Dalton and Spencer Earn Wheeling University Athlete of the Week Honors
WHEELING, W.Va. – January 16, 2026 – The Wheeling University Athletic department has seen a strong start to the 2026 winter sports season, and this past week was no exception. Recognizing outstanding individual performances, the department announced its weekly “Cardinal High Flyer” award recipients on Tuesday, with Kenzie Dalton of Women’s Basketball and Bradley Spencer of Wrestling earning the honors.both athletes demonstrated remarkable leadership and skill,contributing significantly to thier teams’ successes.
Women’s Basketball: Kenzie Dalton’s Clutch Performance
Kenzie Dalton is making a significant impact for the Wheeling Women’s Basketball team, earning her second “Cardinal High Flyer of the Week” award this season. Her standout performance came during a challenging week that included a narrow loss to Fairmont State and a thrilling come-from-behind victory against Frostburg State.
in the win over Frostburg State, Dalton showcased her all-around game, finishing with an extraordinary 25 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Her efficiency was remarkable, shooting a near-perfect 7-of-8 (87.5%) from the field and an outstanding 90% (9-of-10) from the free-throw line.Down at halftime, Dalton took control, scoring 15 of her 25 points in the second half to propel the Cardinals to a 72-63 victory.
Dalton’s recent resurgence is a key factor for Wheeling’s playoff aspirations. After a slight dip in form in early December, she has averaged 18.4 points per game over her last five contests. Her ability to score, distribute, and lead on the court makes her a vital component of the team’s push for a Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament berth.
Wrestling: Bradley Spencer Dominates in Tri-Match Sweep
Wrestler Bradley Spencer had a dominant week, earning his first “Cardinal High Flyer of the Week” award after going undefeated in a tri-match against Davis & Elkins and Waynesburg. Wrestling in the 157-pound weight class,Spencer delivered two impressive performances,leading Wheeling to a clean sweep of both matches.
Against Davis & Elkins’ Jeston Showalter,Spencer achieved a career-high 22 points,securing a decisive 22-7 tech fall victory in 6 minutes and 25 seconds. He continued his winning streak against Waynesburg’s Kaleb McCormick, achieving the quickest match of the night with a pin in just 19 seconds.This pin was a new personal best for Spencer, surpassing his previous record by 21 seconds, and marked his third tech fall of the season.
Spencer’s performance has brought his season record to an even 8-8 across 16 matches, demonstrating his consistent improvement and growing confidence on the mat.
A Week of Competition for the Cardinals
The week wasn’t solely defined by these two outstanding performances. The Wheeling Cardinals faced a busy schedule across multiple sports:
* Basketball: Both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams battled Fairmont State, with both teams facing narrow defeats. The Women’s team rebounded with a 72-63 win at Frostburg State, while the Men’s team secured a high-scoring 115-98 victory.
* Swimming: The Wheeling swimming teams kicked off their 2026 schedule at Lenoir-Rhyne University, facing tough competition with the women falling 167-87 and the men 168-82.
* Wrestling: Beyond Spencer’s individual success, the Wheeling Wrestling team completed a prosperous tri-match sweep, defeating Davis & Elkins 40-12 and Waynesburg 40-15.
Continued Recognition for Cardinal Athletes
This week’s awards add to a growing list of accolades for wheeling University athletes. kenzie Dalton is the sixth member of the Women’s Basketball team to receive the “Cardinal high Flyer” award, joining teammates Emilia sierra Lacosta (two awards), Layla Merriweather, and Emma Reynolds. On the wrestling side, Bradley Spencer joins Gavin Harper and Jack Dinwiddie as honorees.Last week, Sierra Lacosta and Dinwiddie were recognized for their performances at the start of the spring semester.
Looking Ahead
the Wheeling University Athletic department continues to build momentum as the winter season progresses. The next scheduled event is a Women’s Basketball matchup against Concord on Wednesday, January 14th, at 5:30 PM. fans are encouraged to support the cardinals as they continue their pursuit of success in the MEC.
