Class AA Girls
100 Meter Dash
Bridgeport's McKenna Smith set a new State Meet Record, a new All-Time Best Mark and
the Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet
Performance with her blistering 11.89, winning the event by nearly 1 second. Mingo Central's
Tyshira Joplin edged Weir's Kylee Leathers in the last 20 meters for 2nd place by
just 0.02. Roane's Josie Raines was the only other one under 13 seconds.
RunWV's Current Score: 5 of 6.
200 Meter Dash
In 1968, when Bob Beamon destroyed the Long Jump World Record with his 29'2 1/2" jump, competitor
Igor Ter-Ovenesyan remakred "Compared to this jump, we are as children." With Bridgeport's
McKenna Smith's 4th dominating win of the day and 3rd State Meet All-Time Best mark of
the day, that must be how the other Class AA competitors felt. Smith concluded her breathtaking
weekend with another State Meet Record and another All-Time Best Mark. This time she did it
in the rain. Her 24.37 clocking is a new Best All-Time State Meet Performance and a new
Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. It also won the event by over 2 seconds.
Only Roane's Josie Raines and Scott's Katie Preece ran under 27 seconds among the
rest of the field.
RunWV's Current Score: 10 of 12.
400 Meter Dash
I've been going to the State Track Meet since 1984. In 1985, my second one at the age of 12,
I saw Kristy Beans run a 56.11. I've been waiting over 30 years now for someone to top that.
Bridgeport's McKenna Smith finally pulled it off. Of course, that was a Class AAA
Record, so it still stands as the AAA record. But Smith's 55.25 is a New Class AA State Meet
Record and a New All-Time Best mark for the 400. It, of course, is also the All-Time
Best State Meet Performance and the All-Time Best Class A-AA State Meet Performance.
She won the event by over 4 seconds. Scott's Katie Preece just got past Oak Glen's
Alex Arnott for 2nd place in 59.88 to Arnott's 1:00.02. The top 6 were all under 61
seconds.
RunWV's Current Score: 14 of 18.
800 Meter Run
The skies opened up once again just before the end of the first lap as Robert C. Byrd's
Avery Thrush led the field through in 68 seconds. She was trailed closely by Oak Glen's
Alex Arnott, Nicholas' Alyssa Woods and Berkeley Springs' Stephanie Golden.
Bridgeport's Kirsten George was in 5th. Arnott made the pass into the lead at just
past 650 meters and gradully pulled away down the stretch to take the win by almost a second
with a 2:20.84. Thrush easily held the 2nd spot at 2:21.75. Woods took the 3rd position in
2:23.04. Golden held fourth at 2:27.35. George kept the 5th spot in 2:28.98. Sissonville's
Emer Carrington used a late push to take the 6th postion in 2:29.66. My predicted 2nd
place finisher scratched from the event.
RunWV's Current Score: 18 of 24.
1600 Meter Run
North Marion's Taylor Trowbridge took the first lap in 1:13 to lead the field through
one. Berkeley Springs' Stephanie Golden was in 2nd at 1:14. Philip Barbour's Kierra
Hodge was running 3rd in 1:15. That time was matched by Nicholas' Lucianna Martin,
Keyser's Kyleena Purvis, and Philip Barbour's Jessica Melvin. On the 2nd lap,
things closed up a little at the front with Trowbridge still holding the lead at 2:36 and
Golden and Melvin trailing closely at 2:37. Martin was running fourth in 2:39 with Hodge 5th
in 2:40. Ritchie's Gwyn Napier was in 6th at 2:41. Lap three saw the front three
remain close and extend their lead on the rest of the field. Trowbridge remained in the lead
at 4:02 with Golden still close with the same time. Melvin was another stride or two back
in 4:03. Hodge was in 4th at 4:08. Martin was in 5th at 4:09. Frankfort's Abby Beeman
had moved into 6th at 4:10. One the final lap, Trowbridge started to pull away from Golden,
and Golden pulled a little away from Melvin. On the backstretch, Melvin started to move,
pulling up on Golden while Trowbridge extended her lead. Mevlin made the pass on Golden
mid-way through the turn, but Trowbridge was still about 20 meters ahead coming out of the
turn. Melvin put on a furious kick in the last 50 meters to overtake Trowbridge about 5 meters
before the line. Melvin clocked a 5:21.14 to Trowbridge's 5:21.32. Golden easily held onto
the 3rd spot at 5:26.63. Beeman edged out Berkeley Springs' Brooke Davison for 4th,
5:30.21 to 5:30.25. Hodge held onto 6th in 5:32.23.
RunWV's Current Score: 23 of 30.
3200 Meter Run
Nicholas' Lucianna Martin led the field through the first lap in 1:17. Wayne's
Katie Napier was in 2nd at 1:18. Philip Barbour's Jessica Melvin was in 3rd
at 1:19, with that time being matched by Herbert Hoover's Megan Holt, Berkeley Springs'
Stephanie Golden and Frankfort's Julianna Butcher. On the 2nd lap, Melvin
moved to the front in 2:44. Golden was in 2nd at 2:45. Martin was in 3rd at 2:46. Napier
was running 4th with Butcher 5th and Philip Barbour's Kierra Hodge now in 6th. At
the end of 3 laps, it remained Melvin at the front in 4:12 and being trailed by Golden at
4:13. Martin was just ahead of Hodge for 3rd in 4:16. Butcher was 5th in 4:17. Frankfort's
Abby Beeman had moved into 6th at 4:18. At the mid-way point, Melvin had opened a bit
of a gap, coming through in 5:41 to Golden's 5:43. These two had gotten well ahead of the field
at this point. Hodge was in 3rd with Butcher 4th and Martin in 5th with each at 5:48.
Beeman remained 6th at 5:49. The rain was still coming down as they took the 5th lap. At
the end of five, Melvin continued to hold a 2 second advantage over Gold, 7:12 to 7:14.
Hodge remained in 3rd at 7:21. Butcher remained in 4th at 7:22. Beeman had moved up to
5th in 7:23. Martin held 6th at 7:24. On lap 6, Melvin extended her lead slightly to 3
seconds over Golden, 8:43 to 8:46. Hodge continued to hold the 3rd spot at 8:56 with Butcher
still in 4th at 8:57. Beeman kept the 5th spot at 8:59. I think Martin still held the 6th
spot at this point. Lap 7 saw Melvin pretty much put the race away as she extended her lead
to 7 seconds, coming through in 10:14. Golden was still 2nd at 10:21. Butcher had moved
into 3rd in 10:31. Hodge was in 4th at 10:32. Beeman was in 5th at 10:33. I think East
Fairmont's Olga Hawranick had moved into 6th at 10:37. On the final lap, Melvin
continued her extension of the lead and took the win in 11:37.35. Golden held on for 2nd
in 11:50.02. Butcher pulled away for 3rd in 11:54.61. Hodge held the 5th spot at 11:58.10.
Beeman kept the 5th position in 12:00.21, just holding off the late push of Berkeley Springs'
Amanda Lupton who took the 6th spot in 12:01.15.
RunWV's Current Score: 28 of 36.
100 Meter High Hurdles
Weir's Taylor Zdan took control early and sped away from the field to win in 15.09.
That stands as the 7th Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Ritchie's
Samantha Kirk was the only other one under 16 seconds with her 15.72. Bridgeport's
Mateah Kittle was 3rd in 16.11. No one else was under 16.70.
RunWV's Current Score: 33 of 42.
300 Meter Low Hurdles
Another event that was the McKenna Smith show. She blasted the event in 44.03 which
is a new State Meet Record. It is the 4th Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the
Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Ritchie's Samantha Kirk was
the only other one under 48 seconds with her 46.88. Roane's Danielle Godbey was 3rd
in 48.08. The top 6 were under 49 seconds.
RunWV's Current Score: 38 of 48.
4x100 Meter Relay
The North Marion crew of Eve Hine, Brielle Osborne, Riane Beaty, and Marlee Angelucci
overtook Bridgeport on the final leg for the win in 51.53. Bridgeport was 2nd in 51.82 with
Liberty Harrison joining them under 52 seconds in 51.92. The top 6 were under 52.50.
RunWV's Current Score: 42 of 54.
4x200 Meter Relay
Weir's group of Taylor Zdan, Caroline Fodor, Stephanie Pennacchio, and Kylee Leathers
pulled away dominantly to win by nearly 2 seconds in 1:47.94. Bridgeport was the only other
team under 1:51 with their 1:49.85. The next four were all under 1:52.
RunWV's Current Score: 47 of 60.
4x400 Meter Relay
Bridgeport took the lead on the homestretch of the 3rd leg, and the foursome of Kristen
Crowder, Catie Wilson, Julia Muller, and Kirstin George pulled away to win by over 3 seconds
in 4:12.76. North Marion held the 2nd spot at 4:16.35. 3rd through 6th were separated by less
than 1.5 seconds with Liberty Harrison being the only other team to come in under 4:20.
Nicholas just got by Oak Glen at the line, 4:20.23 to 4:20.30 and Berkeley Springs was at 4:20.80.
RunWV's Current Score: 53 of 66.
4x800 Meter Relay
Bridgeport took the lead down the homestretch and hit a 2:26 opening leg.
North Marion was running 2nd in 2:28. Nicholas was in 3rd at 2:31. Keyser was in 4th at 2:32.
Braxton was slightly ahead of Berkeley Springs for 5th with both at 2:34. On the 2nd leg, North
Marion took the lead, coming through in 5:01. Berkeley Springs had moved into 2nd at 5:04.
Keyser had a slight lead on Bridgeport for 3rd with both at 5:06. Nicholas was in 5th at 5:08.
I think Braxton was in 6th. After 3 legs, it was still North Marion in the lead at 7:36.
Bridgeport had moved back into 2nd at 7:39. Nicholas was holding 3rd at 7:42. Berkeley Springs
was in 4th at 7:46. Keyser was in 5th at 7:47. Liberty Harrison had moved into 6th at 7:53.
On the final leg, Nicholas and Bridgeport overtook North Marion just before the end of the
1st lap. Bridgeport made the pass just before the final turn. Nicholas nearly pulled even
coming out of the turn, but Bridgeport pulled away in the last 50 for the win. Bridgeport
got a 2:25 anchor from Kirstin George and Nicholas got a 2:23 from Olivia Carpenter.
The Bridgeport squad of Jenna Soltesz, Savannah Blythe, Julia Muller, and Kirstin George
took the win in 10:04.97. Nicholas 2nd place time was 10:06.24. Berkeley Springs moved up
for 3rd on a 2:25 anchor from Stephanie Golden in 10:11.95. North Marion claimed the
4th spot in 10:13.40. Keyser held the 5th spot in 10:23.82. Liberty Harrison held the 6th
position in 10:27.66.
RunWV's Current Score: 58 of 72.
Shuttle Hurdle Relay
Weir took the lead for good late in the 3rd leg and sped away on the anchor leg of High Hurdle
Champion Taylor Zdan. The group of Amelia Adams, Steffani Cummins, Stephanie Pennacchio,
and Taylor Zdan blasted a 1:04.72 to set a new State Meet Record. This obviously stands
as the Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Liberty Harrison easily held
the 2nd spot with a 1:06.62. Only Roane was under 1:09 among the rest of the field, and
only Keyser was under 1:10 among the rest.
RunWV's Current Score: 64 of 78
High Jump
Four jumpers cleared 5'0, with Liberty Harrison's Hannah Phillips taking the win on
tie-breakers. Robert C. Byrd's Hayley Willey and Poca's Destinee Keyes tied
for 2nd, and East Fairmont's Laura May was 4th. The remaining 2 placers were the only
other ones to clear 4'10.
RunWV's Current Score: 67 of 84.
Pole Vault
Bridgeport's Caroline Lloyd was the only vaulter to clear 10'0 in a field much improved
from last year. Liberty Harrison's Wylie Everly and Ritchie's Abi Haught cleared
9'6 in taking 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Ritchie's Sarah Cokeley cleared 9'0 for 4th.
Herbert Hoover's Taylor Marsh and Bridgeport's Jenna Love cleared 8'6 for 5th and
6th, respectively. Last year, just one vaulter cleared 8'6. This year 7 did it.
RunWV's Current Score: 71 of 90.
Long Jump
Roane's Josie Rained repeated as Champion with a leap of 17'5, winning the event by
nearly a foot and a half. North Marion's Marlee Angelucci was 2nd with a 15'11.25.
3rd through 6th were separated by just one inch.
RunWV's Current Score: 75 of 96.
Shot Put
Scott's Brooke Burns took the win with a toss of 35'7.50. Philip Barbour's Kacey
Neville was 2nd with 34'11.25. Wayne's Mica Mathis was the only other thrower to
surpass 33'0 with her toss of 34'2.25.
RunWV's Current Score: 80 of 102.
Discus
Frankfort's Kasinda King scored the narrow win over Scott's Brooke Burns 111'11
to 111'7. Oak Glen's Bridget Bemis threw 105'4 for 3rd. Her teammate Kylee Williams
was 4th at 102'7. The top 6 topped 100'.
RunWV's Current Score: 85 of 108.
The final score of 85 of 108 means that 78.7% of the people picked to place did indeed place. That's not one of my better showings, and there were some colossal misses. Congratulations to those that proved me wrong.
Exceeding Predictions
The following athletes exceed the predictions by 3 or more places and
deserve special mention.
Josie Raines, Roane -- 100 M (not picked, got 4th)
Katie Preece, Scott -- 400 M (picked 5th, got 2nd)
Catie Wilson, Bridgeport -- 400 M (not picked, got 4th)
Bridgeport -- 4x800 M (not picked, got 1st)
(Jenna Soltesz, Savannah Blythe, Julia Mullen, Kirstin George)
Destinee Keyes, Poca -- High Jump (not picked, Tied for 2nd)
Laura May, East Fairmont -- High Jump (not picked, got 4th)
Cailyn Reynolds, Roane -- Long Jump (not picked, got 3rd)
Tyshira Joplin, Mingo Central -- Long Jump (not picked, got 4th)
Kylee Williams, Oak Glen -- Discus (not picked, got 4th)
The following teams deserve kudos for scoring seven points or more higher than we predicted.
Class AA Girls Roane +16 Poca + 7