Class AAA Boys
100 Meter Dash
Jefferson's Dante Price exploded past the field in the 2nd half of the race to win by 0.23
seconds. His 10.65 time in the Trials is the 4th Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the
4th Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. Woodrow Wilson's Ramon Edwards
used an explosive start to again join price under 11 seconds with a 10.97 in the finals. One of my
predicted placers False Started in the finals.
RunWV's Current Score: 4 of 6.
200 Meter Dash
A cramping Dante Price of Jefferson was just able to hold off Musselman's Joshua Ferguson
in the 200 final by 0.05 to preserve his perfect State Meet. They were the only ones to run under 23
seconds. I knew this one would be a mess, and it was as I only hit 3 of the 6 placers.
RunWV's Current Score: 7 of 12.
400 Meter Dash
Jefferson's Dante Price started his Saturday with a win by nearly a full second in the 400.
Spring Valley's Jacob Kilgore also clocked in under 50 seconds. 9 guys made it in under 51
seconds in a very exciting year for the 400. Oak Hill's Jovare Brown scored a 3rd place finish
from the first heat.
RunWV's Current Score: 11 of 18.
800 Meter Run
Point Pleasant's Caleb Riffle pulled off the upset of the meet in the 800 with a big kick in
the last 150 as he and Cabell Midland's Brian Lawhon surged past Cabell Midland's Jacob
Burcham, the current State Meet Record Holder. Riffle was able to outlast Lawhon and cracked
the rare 1:55 barrier. Amazingly enough, though. 1:54.98 doesn't crack the All-Time State Meet
top 10. 3 guys made it in under 1:56. 5 were in under 1:58, and 9 came in under 2:00, which I believe
sets a new standard for statewide excellence. 1999 had at least 6, but I'm certain they didn't make
it to 9.
RunWV's Current Score: 16 of 24.
1600 Meter Run
Cabell Midland's Jacob Burcham took the lead from the gun in an attempt to lower his State
Meet Record. George Washington's Matthew Brafford trailed closely behind. Burcham took the
first lap in 60 seconds. Jefferson's Andrew Milliron and Brafford were right behind in
61. Cabell Midland's Avery Campbell and Jefferson's Ryan Graf were next in line at
62 seconds. University's Andy Paladino rounded out the top 6 at this point, crossing in 63.
On the second lap, Burcham and Milliron pulled away from the field with Burcham coming through in
2:04 and Milliron in 2:05. Graf moved past Brafford at the end of the lap with both crossing in
2:08. Paladino moved into 5th at 2:10 and University Freshman Seth Edwards had moved into
6th at 2:12. On lap 3, Burcham pulled away from Milliron to cross in 3:08. Milliron came through
in 3:11. Burcham would have to close in under 60 to set a new State Meet mark. Graf had openede a
gap on Brafford, coming through in 3:15 to Brafford's 3:17. Paladino had closed to within about a
second of Brafford. There was a battle for 6th with a lap to go between Capital's Marshall
Sharp, Greenbrier East's Levi Snedegar, Edwards, and another University Freshman Alex
Minor. On the final lap, Burcham was able to extend his lead but couldn't take down the record
as he crossed in 4:13.33, which is the 5th Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the 5th
Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. Milliron easily held the second spot with an
impressive 4:17.86. Graf solidly held the 3rd position at 4:21.27. Brafford held the 4th spot at
4:24.73 as he and Paladino held off the late charge of Edwards, who easily outdistanced the other
vying for the 6th spot with a 63 second closing lap.
RunWV's Current Score: 21 of 30.
3200 Meter Run
George Washington's Matthew Brafford lead the field through the first lap under soggy
conditions. Cabell Midland's Jacob Burcham settled on his shoulder early. Brafford went
through the first lap in 1:06 with Burcham in 1:07. Jefferson's Andrew Milliron and Ryan
Graf were the next through in 1:08. Greenbrier East's Levi Snedegar was through in 1:09
and Cabell Midland's Avery Campbell had just moved into 6th at 1:10. Brafford continued to
lead through the 2nd lap, crossing in 2:15. Burcham remained on his shoulder. Graf had moved into
3rd at 2:18 with Milliron at 2:20. Campbell was in 5th at 2:21 and Snedegar was in 6th at 2:22. Lap
3 saw much of the same with Brafford continuing to hold the lead and Burcham on his shoulder.
Brafford crossed in 3:25 and Burcham in 3:26. Graf continued to hold a slight lead over Milliron
for 3rd 3:29 to 3:30. Musselman's Shane Rigsby had made a move into 5th at 3:33, right with
Campbell. Lap four was more of the same. Brafford continued to lead and Burcham remained content
to let him. Brafford crossed the 1600 mark at 4:35 and Burcham at 4:36. Graf and Milliron continued
to hold the 3rd and 4th spots at 4:41. University's Andy Paladino had joined Campbell as the
pair crossed at 4:46. On lap five, the pace slowed as they only turned a 1:13 lap with Brafford and
Burcham hitting 5:48. Graf continued to lead Milliron with a 5:53 to a 5:54. Paladino and Campbell
were joined by Snedegar in crossing at 6:00. On lap 6, Burcham shot out of the final turn to move
into the lead and quickly pull away from Brafford. Burcham crossed at 6:58 with Brafford at 7:00.
Graf and Milliron crossed at 7:07, trading places a couple times along the way. Paladino was
holding 5th with a 7:14 with Campbell and Snedegar at 7:15. Burcham opened it up a bit on lap 7,
dropping the pace down to a 1:05 for the lap and stretching his lead to 10 seconds over Brafford. He
crossed in 8:03 to Brafford's 8:13. Graf hit an 8:19 with Milliron at 8:20. Paladino was in control
of 5th at 8:29. Campbell held a slight lead over Snedegar for the final spot 8:32 to 8:33. On the
final lap, Burcham turned another 65 to close out a 9:08.34, the 3rd Best All-Time State Meet
performance and the 3rd Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. Brafford easily
held onto the 2nd spot in 9:21.71. Graf outdueled Milliron on the final lap and hit 9:26.50 with
Milliron crossing in 9:28.05. Campbell closed in 64 to move past Paladino into 5th with a 9:37.02.
University Freshman Seth Edwards also came through under 9:45 for 7th.
RunWV's Current Score: 26 of 36.
110 Meter High Hurdles
Cabell Midland's Nate Moore took control at the fourth hurdle and didn't relinquish the lead.
Jefferson's Warren Gray held close as they were the only two to get in under 15 seconds.
Parkersburg South's Logan Cox was in front before stumbling over the 3rd hurdle.
RunWV's Current Score: 32 of 42.
300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles
Jefferson's Warren Gray led three through in under 40 seconds with his 38.74 being the only
one under 39 seconds. Parkersburg's Evan Rhodes and Lewis County's Dustin Martin
joined him under 40 seconds. There were 7 under 41.
RunWV's Current Score: 37 of 48.
4x100 Meter Relay
The Hedgesville unit of Kiandre Brown, Josh Beverly, Hunter Weaver, and Christian Beverly used
4 strong legs to edge past Washington, who scored a big 2nd place finish from the first heat. They
were the only teams to go under 44 seconds in a very close race. The next 6 teams all came within
0.33 of each other.
RunWV's Current Score: 40 of 54.
4x200 Meter Relay
Jefferson added Dante Price to the lineup to accompany Robert Douglas, Warren Goode, and
Tanner Cantrell and secure the win. They were the only team to run under 1:30, the first sub-1:30
of the decade. Washington and Martinsburg joined Jefferson under 1:31 with Martinsburg pulling their's
off from the first heat. Three others came through under 1:32.
RunWV's Current Score: 44 of 60.
4x400 Meter Relay
This was a great, great race that saw the top 4 teams finish within 0.82 of each other. Martinsburg
got a great anchor leg from Keion Henderson to slip past Greenbrier East for the win. He joined
Cedric Brown, Ian Lynn, and James Myers on the podium. Greenbrier East and Jefferson joined
Martinsburg under 3:27 with Greenbrier East holding the spot by just 0.05. Hedgesville was just over
3:27 with their 3:27.04. Point Pleasant and Hurricane rounded out the placers with 3:28's, and Cabell
Midland fell just short (0.08) from the first heat of cracking the lineup.
RunWV's Current Score: 50 of 66.
4x800 Meter Relay
We finally got to see Cabell Midland take their shot at the long-standing 4x800 Meter Relay record
held by Hedgesville. They opened with Avery Campbell who put down a very nice 2:00.6 opening
leg and had him team in 3rd place. Winfield held the lead with a 1:59.5 leg from Hunter Sheldon
with Jefferson in 2nd with a strong leg from Ryan Graf. Mason Dino snagged the lead
for Midland about 300 meters into the first lap of his leg and continued to pull away throughout,
clocking a very nice 1:57.0. Jefferson was easily holding 2nd. Preston had moved into 3rd with
Winfield right on their heels. Brian Lawhon was next for Midland, and he came through with a
1:59.1 leg before giving way to Jacob Burcham. Burcham would need a 1:55 leg to take the
record. He wasted no time in going after it, taking the first lap in 53 seconds. He completed his
leg with a 1:53.0 to give Midland the State Meet Record at 7:49.84, the Best All-time State Meet
Performance and the Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. Jefferson held off
a very strong performance from Hedgesville for 2nd as both clocked in at under 8:08. Preston,
Winfield, and University came in under 8:20.
RunWV's Current Score: 54 of 72.
Shuttle Hurdle Relay
Cabell Midland's crew of Jacob Morgan, Niles Dailey, Daniel Jarrell, and Nate Moore was the
only team to eclipse the 57 second barrier. They took the lead on Dailey's leg and never looked
back. Parkersburg South just missed the 57 second barrierwith their 57.04. Parkersburg was under
58 while Huntington and Hedgesville came through under 59 seconds. One of my predicted placers got
hit with a false start.
RunWV's Current Score: 59 of 78.
High Jump
As expected, Jefferson's Jordan Hardiman was the class of the field. He and Greenbrier East's
Trey Cochran were the only ones to go higher than 6'0 with Hardiman sailing over 6'8 and
Cochran clearing 6'6. Only 8 jumpers have cleared higher than Hardiman's 6'8 in State Meet competition.
Hardiman moved the bar to 7'0 to attempt the West Virginia rarity but was not able to clear the height.
Only five guys cleared the opening height of 6'0, so not all the places were even awarded in this
event. 2 of my predicted placers were among those that didn't clear a height.
RunWV's Current Score: 63 of 84.
Pole Vault
Capital Freshman Tristan Slater had a banner day soaring over 14'6 and winning the event by
a foot and a half. Only 9 vaulters have gone higher in State Meet competition. Only Wheeling Park's
Chase Bonar was able to clear 13'0 among the rest of the field. Three of my predicted placers
failed to clear their opening height.
RunWV's Current Score: 66 of 90.
Long Jump
I hate picking the long jump. Fortunately, at least Jefferson's Martinez Grant was able to
assure that I at least picked the champion correctly. His 21'6 1/2 jump was the only leap over 21'
in a competition in which only 5 guys topped 20'. Parkersburg's Daniel Fox was the only other
jumper to top 20'6.
RunWV's Current Score: 69 of 96.
Shot Put
Shady Spring's Houstin Syvertson launched the shot 53'9 1/2 on a day in which the other main
competitors came up short. Syvertson's toss landed 5 1/2 feet further than anyone else's top throw
giving him a dominating victory. Only Buckhannon-Upshur's Isaac Johnson was able to top 48'
among the rest of the field. Only five guys threw beyond 45'.
RunWV's Current Score: 74 of 102.
Discus
Hampshire's Levi Moreland came through with the only throw over 160' with a toss of 160'5 to
edge Parkersburg South's Dylan Rippeto's 156'10 toss. Those two easily outdistanced the rest
of the field as no one else hit 150'. 5 guys hit 140' including the Point Pleasant Freshman duo
of Cody Mitchell and Tannor Hill. 2 of my predicted placers did not compete.
RunWV's Current Score: 77 of 108.
The final score of 77 of 108 means that 71.3% of the people picked to place did indeed place, one of my worst showings ever. Congratulations to those that proved me wrong.
Exceeding Predictions
The following athletes exceed my predictions by 3 or more places and deserve special mention.
Josh Beverly, Hedgesville -- 200 M (not picked, got 3rd)
Marquel Hosby, Washington -- 200 M (not picked, got 4th)
Jovare Brown, Oak Hill -- 400 M (not picked, got 3rd)
Caleb Riffle, Point Pleasant -- 800 M (picked 4th, got 1st)
Washington -- 4x100 M (not picked, got 2nd)
(Marquel Hosby, Ian MacLeod, Connor Flinchum, Derrick Brunson)
Martinsburg -- 4x100 M (not picked, got 4th)
(Eric Mitchell, Keion Henderson, Cedric Brown, Jaylen Carson)
Martinsburg -- 4x200 M (not picked, got 4th)
(James Myers, Eric Mitchell, Cedric Brown, Keion Henderson)
Greenbrier East -- 4x400 M (picked 6th, got 2nd)
(Trey Cochran, Garrett Clemons, Tyler Hanna, Montana Poole)
Preston -- 4x800 M (not picked, got 4th)
(Wesley Scott, Jacob Smith, Colin Radabaugh, Brody Born)
Tyler Hanna, Greenbrier East -- High Jump (not picked, tied for 3rd)
Zane Griffith, Ripley -- Pole Vault (not picked, got 4th)
Daniel Fox, Parkersburg -- Long Jump (not picked, got 2nd)
Nathan Wendel, Hurricane -- Long Jump (not picked, got 4th)
Cody Mitchell, Point Pleasant - Discus (not picked, got 4th)
The following teams deserve kudos for scoring seven points or more higher than I predicted.
Class AAA Boys Martinsburg +14 Washington + 9 Oak Hill + 8 Greenbrier East + 7