WHEELING, WV, July 17, 2009 - Two of the top runners in Wheeling Park High School history are joining forces at the collegiate level.

Ryan Beabout, a school record holder in cross country and track for the Patriots, has confirmed he is transferring to Wheeling Jesuit University from the University of Tennessee to compete for Coach Ricky Moore.

''I loved it down at Tennessee, it just wasn't where my heart was,'' said Beabout, the 2007 West Virginia Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year.

''Not having family there was tough.''

Beabout spent his freshman season competing for the Volunteers in cross country and track. He will join the Cardinals in the fall as he won't have to sit out a season.

''We are very happy and excited to have him at the university, both as a student and an athlete,'' said Moore, a former Wheeling Jesuit standout.

''He will be a big asset to a very young and talented Cardinals team.''

Moore declined further comment citing NCAA regulations.

Despite nagging injuries, Beabout enjoyed a productive freshman season in Knoxville.

Beabout ran in three cross country events and placed 63rd overall at the 2008 Southeast Conference Championships in a time of 25:59.79.

He opened the season by finishing 14th overall at the UT Invitational.

On the track, Beabout competed in the 5,000- and 10,000-meters.

Beabout believes the experience he's gained in the ultra-competitive SEC will certainly come in handy in West Virginia Conference action.

''I'm super excited to be working with Ricky,'' he said. ''He's a great coach and a great guy.''

Beabout, who will continue studying communications at WJU, said he made the decision to transfer last spring. He knew he wanted to transfer to a smaller school and Wheeling Jesuit was at the top of a short list of candidates.

''I know the whole team there,'' he said. ''It will be easy to fit in.''

Beabout left Wheeling Park as one of the school's most successful individual athletes.

He was the West Virginia Class AAA individual cross country champion in 2006 and repeated in 2007 in leading the Patriots to the state title.

Beabout won the 3,200 on the track in 2007 and 2008 and is the school record holder in the event.

* News item appeared first in the July 17 Wheeling Intelligencer and is posted here with permission.