Class A Girls
100 Meter Dash
Madonna's Lea Colantonio edged past Wheeling Central's Kenadee Wayt and
pulled away in the last 20 meters to take the win in 12.75 to Wayt's 12.82. Doddridge's
Jonna Ferrell and Union's Colleena Burdock joined them under 13 seconds.
RunWV's Current Score: 5 of 6.
200 Meter Dash
Wheeling Central's Kenadee Wayt got out well and was never seriously threatened
as she took the event by 0.36 seconds over Union's Colleena Burdock with a time
of 26.27. They were joined under 27 seconds by Doddridge's McKenzie Newton, who
squeezed past Buffalo's Jillian King in the last 20 meters to take the 3rd spot.
One of my predicted placers scratched the event to run a relay.
RunWV's Current Score: 10 of 12.
400 Meter Dash
St. Joseph's McKenzie Moran and Wheeling Central's Nikki Nolte dueled down
the stretch with Moran holding off Nolte from 320 to 390 and then stretching the lead
just a bit in the last 10 meters. Moran scored a 58.88 to Nolte's 59.16. They ended
up over a second ahead of Ritchie's Stephanie Kirk who moved into 3rd late ahead
of Buffalo's Jillian King who led the first 300 meters of the race. One of
my predicted placers scratched the event to run a relay.
RunWV's Current Score: 15 of 18.
800 Meter Run
The Buffalo duo of Sydney Smith and Autumn Persinger took the field through
the first lap with Smith coming through at 1:07 and Persinger at 1:08. St. Joseph's
Mckenzie Moran had moved up onto the shoulder of Persinger, and Wheeling Central's
Ireland Wayt was close behind in 4th. Early in the 2nd lap, Moran moved past
Persinger and closed up on Smith as Persinger started to fade. On the backstretch, Moran
moved past Smith into the lead. Smith remained right on the heels of Moran until about
120 meters to go when Moran started to open a gap. Moran powered away down the stretch
to take the win by almost 4 seconds in a new State Record time of 2:18.93. That time
stands as the 8th Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Smith easily
held the 2nd spot in 2:22.69. Wayt was solidly in 3rd at 2:26.36. Richwood's Madison
Frame got by Trinity's Emily Saurborn late for 4th with both slipping in under
2:30. St. Joseph's Bojena Gross snagged the final medal at 2:30.31.
RunWV's Current Score: 20 of 24.
1600 Meter Run
The field was essentially one large pack through one lap with Williamstown's Kasey
McNamara and Williamstown's Carson Hesson at the front. Ritchie's Gwyn
Napier was in 3rd with Buffalo's Madi Michels in 4th and Trinity's Piper
McLaughlin in 5th and Magnolia's Jordan Delaney in 6th. Lap 2 saw 11 still
in the main pack with McNamara and Hesson still in the front. McLaughlin had moved
into 3rd. Delaney had moved up to 4th and Napier in 5th. Michels was in 6th. That
entire group went through from 2:45 to 2:46. On the backstretch of lap 3, the race
finally started to take shape as Napier made a bid for the lead, but McNamara would
hold her off. McNamara would maintain that lead through the end of lap 3, but there
was a lot of shifing behind her as she passed in 4:11. St. Joseph's McKenzie
Moran, who had been lingering toward the back of the pack for the 1st two laps
had emerged into 2nd place also at 4:11. Napier was in 3rd at 4:12, and St. Joseph's
Bojena Gross had moved into 4th also at 4:12. Delaney was in 5th and McLauglin
in 6th also at 4:12. Moran moved to the front in the turn, but McNamara continued
to challenge. As they started the backstretch, McNamara made a move to retake the
lead and did so briefly. But as soon as she tucked in front, Moran stepped out and
retook the top spot with just over 200 to go. Gross and Delaney were battling for
the 3rd spot and Richwood's Madison Frame had moved into the picture in 5th.
Delaney made the pass on McNamara in the middle of the turn and tried for the lead,
but Moran held the spot. Delaney continued to push for the spot until about 60 meters
to go when Moran simply ran away. She pulled away to win by almost 2.5 seconds in
5:24.72. Delaney held off Gross and Frame who were coming hard. McNamara held on
for 5th, and Michels worked back into 6th in the final stretch with the front 6 all
coming through under 5:30.
RunWV's Current Score: 26 of 30.
3200 Meter Run
Williamstown's Kasey McNamara led the field through the first lap in 1:15 as
she and Magnolia' Jordan Delaney had a small gap on the rest of the field with
Delaney at 1:16. Richwood's Madison Frame was in the 3rd spot, just ahead of
Buffalo's Madi Michels with both at 1:18. Doddridge's Desirae Schoonover
was in 5th at 1:19, and Richwood's Caitlin Cowell was in 6th at 1:20. The order
remained the same on the 2nd lap with McNamara in 1st at 2:42, Delaney in 2nd at 2:43,
Frame in 3rd at 2:44, Michels in 4th at 2:46, Schoonover in 5th at 2:48, and Cowell in
6th also at 2:48. The end of lap 3 saw Delaney move into the lead at 4:14. McNamara
and Frame matched that time in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Michels was in 4th at 4:15.
Schoonover remained in 5th at 4:17. Trinity's Piper McLaughlin had moved into
6th at 4:18. The 4th lap saw a little more shifting up front. Delaney remained in the
lead, crossing the half-way point in 5:46. Michels was just slightly ahead of Frame for
2nd also at 5:46. They had started to open a slight gap on McNamara who remained in 4th
at 5:48. Schoonover still held the 5th spot at 5:52 with McLaughlin close behind in
5:53. On lap 5, Michels challenged briefly for the lead, but Delaney held it through
the lap in 7:21. Michels was also at 7:21 with Frame at 7:22. McNamara was in 4th at
7:25. McLaughlin had moved into 5th at 7:30 with Schoonver matching that time in 6th.
On lap 6, the front 3 continued to extend their lead. Michels took the lead on the
backstretch and held that lead through the lap at 8:56. Delaney was in 2nd at 8:57 and
Frame in 3rd with the same time. McNamara was still in 4th at 9:03. Schoonover had
moved back into 5th at 9:08, and Cowell had moved back into 6th place at 9:09. On lap 7,
the front 3 stayed together with Michels taking the lead into the final lap at 10:31
and Delaney and Frame right on her heels. McNamara was still in control of the 4th
spot at 10:42. Cowell had moved in front of Schoonover for 5th. On the final lap,
Delaney moved to the front in the first turn, and Frame followed. Those two started to
open a gap on Michels on the backstretch. With 200 to go, Frame made a surge and made
the pass early in the turn. The two battled through the turn and into the homestretch
with Frame able to hold off Delaney and finally pull away in the last 40 meters to take
the win by over 3 seconds in 11:46.64 to Delaney's 11:50.36. Michels easily held the 3rd
spot and joined them under 12:00 at 11:55.65. McNamara held onto the 4th spot in 12:08.13.
Cowell made a push to catch McNamara but couldn't get there in taking 5th in 12:11.32.
Schoonover rounded out the medal-winners in 12:20.20.
RunWV's Current Score: 32 of 36.
100 Meter High Hurdles
Ritchie's Samantha Kirk got out well and sped away from the field to take the win in
15.40. Tucker's Elizabeth Nichols got by Doddridge's Rosa Plaugher for 2nd
late in the race. Only Clay-Battelle's Hailey Carreon joined them under 17 seconds.
RunWV's Current Score: 37 of 42.
300 Meter Low Hurdles
Ritchie's Samantha Kirk controlled the event from the start and pretty much
continually pulled away to take the win by over 1.6 seconds in a State Record
time of 45.15. That time ties her for the 7th Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet
Performance. Doddridge's Abby Charles was the only other one to be under
47 seconds with a 46.81 clocking. Charleston Catholic's Mills Mullen just slipped
past South Harrison's Kacey Evans for 3rd 47.51 to 47.54. Williamstown's Ellie
Gardner and Magnolia's Kristen Massey were under 49 seconds in taking 5th and
6th, respectively.
RunWV's Current Score: 42 of 48.
4x100 Meter Relay
Doddridge's foursome of Jasmine Ball, Jonna Ferrell, Rosa Plaugher, and McKenzie Newton
won a tight race over Wheeling Central and Ritchie and tied the State Record in the
process at 50.62. Wheeling Central went 50.83 and Ritchie 50.92, while no one else
was under 52 seconds and only Williamstown and Madonna were under 53. Doddridge's time
stands as tied for the 9th Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance.
RunWV's Current Score: 47 of 54.
4x200 Meter Relay
Wheeling Central's group of Hannah White, Ireland Wayt, Nikkie Nolte, and Kenadee Wayt
made the pass early in the final leg and pulled away for the convincing win in a State
Record time of 1:46.90. Doddridge held the 2nd spot at 1:48.68. Ritchie and Tucker
also clocked in under 1:50 in taking 3rd and 4th, respectively.
RunWV's Current Score: 51 of 60.
4x400 Meter Relay
Wheeling Central led the field through the first leg. There was a lot of maneuvering in
the 2nd leg as things tightened up considerably with Magnolia taking the lead late in
the 2nd leg. Wheeling Central went through in 2nd and Buffalo in 3rd. Doddridge was
fighting for 2nd but a dropped baton put them in a hole. On the 3rd leg, Wheeling Central
moved back into the lead and Ritchie moved from 7th to 2nd on a strong leg from Samantha
Kirk. Magnolia hled a very close 3rd over Buffalo. On the backstretch of the final
leg, Ritchie briefly took the lead, but Wheeling Central took it back almost immediately.
Down the homestretch it was Nikki Nolte who was able to pull away to give the team
of Nicole Billie, Riley Blaha, Ireland Wayt, and Nikki Nolte the win in 4:13.86 and
secured the team title in the process. If they don't win the event, they settle for a tie
for the Championship. Ritchie held on to 2nd at 4:15.14. Buffalo moved up to 3rd in 4:17.60.
Magnolia took the 4th spot in 4:18.45. Tucker snagged 5th from the first heat with a 4:18.96.
Williamstown took the final position.
RunWV's Current Score: 55 of 66.
4x800 Meter Relay
Wheeling Central led the field through the first leg on a 2:26 from Ireland Wayt.
Williamstown was in 2nd a 2:28. Buffalo was in 3rd at 2:29. Trinity was running 4th at 2:30.
Ritchie was in 5th at 2:31, and I believe it was St. Marys in 6th at 2:35. On the 2nd leg,
Williamstown moved to the front, coming through at 5:01. Wheeling Central was in 2nd
at 5:08. St. Joseph had moved into 3rd at 5:09. Trinity was in 4th at 5:12. Buffalo was
in 5th at 5:14. Charleston Catholic had moved into 6th at 5:15. St. Joseph got a strong
leg from Bojena Gross to move into the lead on the 3rd leg in 7:37. Wheeling Central held
the 2nd spot at 7:39. Buffalo moved up to 3rd in 7:45. Williamstown was in 4th at 7:47.
Charleston Catholic was in 5th at 7:53. Richwood had moved into the 6th position at 8:02.
St. Joseph left no doubt on the final leg as McKenzie Moran provided a preview of the
weekend to come with a stellar 2:19 leg to secure the opening event win for Haven Lochow,
Lindsey Bates, Bojena Gross, and McKenzie Moran with an excellent 9:56.78 clocking.
Wheeling Central easily held the 2nd position at 10:05.02. Buffalo got a 2:23 anchor leg
from Sydney Smith to take the 3rd spot in 10:09.15. Richwood used a 2:25 from Madison
Frame to move into 4th. Williamstown held the 5th spot at 10:30.81, and Charleston
Catholic took the final spot at 10:33.00.
RunWV's Current Score: 60 of 72.
Shuttle Hurdle Relay
The Doddridge squad of Abby Charles, Kiley Ross, Jasmine Ball, and Rosa Plaugher led
nearly the entire race and took the win by over a second with a 1:06.20 clocking. South Harrison
held off Tucker for the 2nd spot 1:07.31 to 1:07.69. Williamstown was 4th in 1:08.78. No one
else went under 1:11.
RunWV's Current Score: 66 of 78.
High Jump
Magnolia's Bailey Estep and Charleston Catholic's Jordan Rothwell tied the
State Record with leaps of 5'4 with Estep getting the win and Rothwell the runner-up
spot. Union's Colleena Burdock was the only other jumper to clear 5'2. Magnolia's Alayna
Cline and Williamstown's Victoria Buckley tied for 4th, and Doddridge's Mista
Smarr took 6th with each clearing 5'0. No one else cleared 4'10.
RunWV's Current Score: 72 of 84.
Pole Vault
Williamstown's Ellie Gardner repeated as champion with a vault of 11'0, which is tied
for the 6th Best All-Time State Meet Performance and tied for the 2nd Best All-Time
Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Clay-Battelle's Addison Ammons was 2nd in 9'6.
Ritchie's Abi Haught was the only other vaulter to clear 9'0. The other 3 placers were
the only othe rones to clear 8'0.
RunWV's Current Score: 75 of 90.
Long Jump
Magnolia's Bailey Estep stretched it out to 17'2.25 to take the win. Union's
Colleena Burdock was 2nd in 16'8. Doddridge's McKenzie Newton was 3rd
with a 16'6.75 with Parkersburg Catholic's Alexis Saunders 4th with a 16'5 leap.
Doddridge's Jonna Ferrell went 15'8, and Hundred's Katherine Henderson
went 15'6 in taking the final two positions. One of my predicted placers scratched
the event.
RunWV's Current Score: 80 of 96.
Shot Put
Gilmer's Sada Wright won a tight battle that saw the top four separated by just
15 inches. Wright threw 35'11.25 for the win. Williamstown's Beth Arnold threw
35'8 for 2nd. Magnolia's Kyndra Pilant joined them over 35'0 in taking 3rd.
Tucker's Carleigh Bolyard threw 34'8 for 4th. The other two placers threw over
32'0.
RunWV's Current Score: 84 of 102.
Discus
Gilmer's Sada Wright took the discus by nearly 8'0 with her toss of 120'9.
Williamstown's Sydney Palmer was 2nd at 112'10. Summers' Kinzy Martin
was 3rd with a 110'7. St. Marys' Whitney Jemison was 4th with a 109'3. Williamstown's
Brianna Kendall was 5th with a 108'6. Magnolia's Kyndra Pilant rounded out
the placers with a 105'3. Last year, I felt like Class A had a strong field with the
top 6 all throwing at least 102'0. They topped that this year with the top 8 all
throwing at least 103'0...and only one Senior in that bunch.
RunWV's Current Score: 90 of 108.
The final score of 90 of 108 means that 83.3% of the people picked to place did indeed place. It's an average of 5 of 6 placers in each event, so I'll take it. Congratulations to those that proved me wrong.
Exceeding Predictions
The following athletes exceed the predictions by 3 or more places and
deserve special mention.
Kacey Evans, South Harrison -- 300 LH (not picked, got 4th)
Tucker County -- 4x200 M (not picked, got 4th)
(Emily Crosten, Elizabeth Nichols, Sydney Nestor, Sydney Moore)
Richwood -- 4x800 M (not picked, got 4th)
(Amelia Bard, Sidney Hacker, Caitlin Cowell, Madison Frame)
Jordan Rothwell, Charleston Catholic -- High Jump (picked 5th, got 2nd)
Addison Ammons, Clay-Battelle -- Pole Vault (Picked 5th, got 2nd)
Jasmine Ball, Doddridge -- Pole Vault (not picked, tied for 4th)
Elaine Freed, Williamstown -- Pole Vault (not picked, tied for 4th)
McKenzie Newton, Doddridge -- Long Jump (picked 6th, got 3rd)
Sydney Palmer, Williamstown -- Discus (picked 6th, got 2nd)
The following teams deserve kudos for scoring seven points or more higher than I predicted.
Class A Girls Clay-Battelle +11 St. Joseph + 8