History of the High School Boys Mile (State Meet Only)

In 1914 and 1915, Beyers of Parkersburg High was the Mile’s first superstar by winning the first two state meets at Charleston.

From 1914 to 1964, other great Milers paved the way such as Snodgrass (Pennsboro), Couch (Parkersburg), Barney Gedwillas (Thomas), Freshwater (Follansbee), Jim Canterbury (Oak Hill), George Walters (Washington-Irving), Keith Locke (Huntington), Shuler (Weir), McKinney (Fayetteville), Curtis Mason (Martinsburg), and Hott (Romney).

In 1921 and 1922, Snodgrass of Pennsboro (Ritchie County) captured the mile two consecutive years. Pennsboro’s strong distance corps helped their team place first in 1921 and second in 1922.

In 1923, Couch of Parkersburg was the first to run a sub-4:40 mile, while helping his team win the title.

In 1931 and 1932, Barney Gedwillas of Thomas, a former coal town in Tucker County, won back to back titles in the mile. Gedwillas was considered WVU’s best distance runner before World War II, and was one of the premier runners in the nation during the 1930s. As a senior, he participated against Norman Bright, Louis Zamperini (from the true story/movie, Unbroken) and Tom Deckard in the 5000-meter race at the 1936 Randall's Island Olympic trials, New York, NY. Gedwillas ran with a blister, he finished fourth, just one spot away from a berth in the Berlin Olympics. President Franklin Roosevelt attended the trials.

In 1939 and 1940, Freshwater of Follansbee (Brooke County) wins a pair of mile titles.

In 1949, Oak Hill’s Jimmy Canterbury thrilled the crowd by setting the 26-year old mile record with a 4:34.8 and in 1950 he swept the distance races.

In 1956, the mile record fell at the state meet by Washington-Irvings George Walters (4:34.7).

In 1958, Huntington’s Keith Locke set the mile record with a 4:30, holding off a hard-charge from Marsh Fork’s Willie Gallimore. He would then again capture the mile crown in 1959.

In the 1960s, distance training was revolutionized by a coach from New Zealand named Arthur Lydiard.

In 1960 and 1961, Huntington East’s Terry Shy grabs a pair of mile titles, while breaking the mile record in 1961 with a time of 4:33.5.

In 1962, while running in the AAA boys race, Shuler of Weir runs a new record and the first sub-4:30 mile with a time of 4:27.9.

In 1962 and 1963, McKinney of Fayetteville wins the new class AA mile title in record times of 4:38.9 and 4:31, respectively.

In 1963, while running in the class AAA boys race, Martinsburg’s Curtis Mason knocked off almost six second from the mile record with a 4:22.2.

In 1964, Hott of Romney wins the class AA Boys mile in a record time of 4:29.9.

In all, the 1960’s would see six records broken in the mile.

Then something magical happened in the United States, there was a running boom of the 1970s. Frank Shorter's victory in the men's marathon is credited with inspiring the running boom. Many factors combined to build momentum for the boom. Other athletes and events before Shorter's victory caused a growth in popularity and recognition. Jim Ryun grew from a top high school runner to an American sports hero and a popular rivalry with Marty Liquori. Steve Prefontaine and his coach Bill Bowerman, even non-American athletes like Lasse Viren were inspirational.

The 1970’s produced many great West Virginia High School milers such as: Rick Marquez (Morgantown), Steve Smith (Huntington), Kim Nutter (Parkersburg), Steve Carnohan (Huntington), Dave Bowman (Duval), Bill Posey (St. Albans), Dave Wilson (DuPont), John Case (Fairmont West), and Jeff Adkins (Beckley). During the 1970s we saw nine records broken in class AAA and AA combined. Also, during that time, Parkersburg’s legendary distance runner Kim Nutter, ran the first sub-4:20 mile. From 1970 to 1978 the Mile time was lowered by 7.5 seconds.

The 1980’s ushered in the metric era and training philosophy started to shift with low mileage and lung bursting interval training. The 80’s saw 1600-meter runners such as: Mike Kominsky (Oak Hill), Steve Taylor (St. Marys), David Marks (Nitro), Bubby Dent (DuPont), Don DeCarlo (Morgantown) and Buck Brooks (Keyser). During the 1980’s five records were broken in the 1600-meter run.

Because of lower mileage and intervals, the 1990’s only produced one state meet record, which was Mikey Cox in 1993. Ironically, his 4:17.54 is the longest held outdoor Mile state meet record for class AA boys at 24 years.

But then something exciting happened as we rounded into the new millennium—high school runners started getting faster again! Kenyan dominance of the American road racing scene began. Runners started running higher mileages.

The 2000’s produced distance standouts - Eric Ryan (Preston) and Zach Tennant (North Marion). Preston’s Eric Ryan ran the first sub-4:15 in the 1600-meter run, while North Marion’s Tennant would lower the bar. This decade would run four state meet records.

The 2010’s, will be remembered for the fiercest battle between two great champions. In 2011, Jefferson's Brandon Doughty took the first lap in 62 seconds, with Cabell Midland's Jacob Burcham, Fairmont Senior's Dayton McVicker, and Morgantown's Cody Pelliccioni trailing close behind in 63. At the end of the 2nd lap, Burcham had moved to the front with Doughty right on his heels, with both crossing in 2:07. Pelliccioni was right behind in 2:08. Winfield's Joe Kirtner made the pass on McVicker right at the end of the lap. On lap three, Burcham came through in 3:08, putting about a second on Doughty. Pelliccioni remained in 3rd, but Kirtner had reeled him in. The final lap saw Burcham put it away with a 60 second close to set a new State Meet Record in 4:08.80. That stands as the Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance. Doughty easily held on for 2nd with a 63 second closer. His 4:12.90 stands as the 3rd Best All-Time State Meet Performance and the 3rd Best All-Time Class AAA State Meet Performance.

None have been greater than Cabell Midland’s Jacob Burcham. Not only did Burcham run the first sub-4:10 1600-meter run at the West Virginia State Meet, but he also holds the state record in the 1600m. In 2012, he ran a 4:01.32 converted True Mile at the Adidas Dream Mile and in 2011, he ran a 4:03.20 converted 1500m at Lille, France at the IAAF World Youth Championships.

He is the best high school miler in state history having run three of the top five times at the West Virginia State Meet, which you will see below.

And if that weren’t enough, on February 13th, 2016, he became only the second person from the state of West Virginia and the 464th U.S. miler to break 4-minutes in the mile. While running for the University of Oklahoma, Burcham ran an indoor career best time of 3:57.46 at the Husky Classic in Seattle, WA. The first from this state to achieve this feat was Chris Fox of Martinsburg, while running for Athletic West he ran three minutes, fifty-nine seconds for the indoor Mile back in 1983.

The current state meet record holders for each class are:

AAA Boys: Jacob Burcham – Cabell Midland - 4:08.80 (2011)

AA Boys: Mikey Cox - Athens – 4:17.54 (1993)

A Boys: Dylan Rich – Buffalo – 4:23.18 (2012)

Here is a little information about the state meet format through the years:

In the beginning, the state meet was one class only. This format remained intact until 1962 when the boys were divided into two classes: AAA & AA.

“In the early 1980s, U.S. high school state federations switched from the Mile to the 1600 meters because new tracks were 400 meters instead of 440 yards and thus, the 1600 meters (9 meters short of a Mile), due to convenience, unfortunately and sadly, replaced the Mile at high school State Meets (except Massachusetts and a few states that run the 1500 meters).” ~ Source BringBacktheMile.com

In 2003, the state meet was divided into three classes: AAA, AA & A. This format has remained intact until this present time.

Below you will find a year-by-year look at the Mile/1600 Meter Run for the West Virginia High School Boys State Meet from 1914 to present. You will notice that in 1917, there was no West Virginia High School Track & Field Championship due to World War I. Also, you will notice that there were several years that results could not be found.

Any additional information or misinformation will be welcomed.

Outdoor Mile (Year-to-Year):

**********MILE RUN ALL-CLASSES COMBINED**********

1914 – Beyers – Parkersburg – 5:01 3-5

1915 – Beyers – Parkersburg – 4:47 1-2 (Record) – first sub-5:00 minute mile & sub-4:50 mile

1916 – Crawford – Huntington – 4:52 2-5

1917 – No meet – World War I

1918 – 5:45 – Deane – Fairmont

1919 – No results could be found

1920 – No results could be found

1921 – 4:43 4-5 – Snodgrass – Pennsboro (Record)

1922 – 4:42 2-5 – Snodgrass – Pennsboro (Record)

1923 – 4:35 – Couch – Parkersburg (Record) – first sub-4:40 mile

1924 – 4:48 4-5 – Grey – Parsons

1925 – 4:43 – Gray – Parsons

1926 – 4:48 3-5 – Riley – Elkins

1927 – 4:43.6 – Price – Smithfield

1928 – 4:46 – Greenie – Point Pleasant

1929 – 4:46 2-5 – Ashburn – Masontown

1930 – 4:38 – Stalnaker – Parsons

1931 – 4:40.6 – Barney Gedwillas – Thomas

1932 – 4:42.5 – Barney Gedwillas – Thomas

1933 – No results could be found

1934 – 4:41.6 – Lemasters -Moundsville

1935 – 4:47.1 – McElhinney – Charleston

1936 – 4:39.8 – Sheets – Greenbank

1937 – 4:41 – Tressler – Masontown

1938 – 4:46.8 – Helm – East Fairmont

1939 – 4:42.8 – Freshwater – Follansbee

1940 – 4:38 – Freshwater – Follansbee

1941 – No results could be found

1942 – 4:50.6 – Marosik – Follansbee

1943 – 4:40.7 – Briggs – Wheeling

1944 – No results could be found

1945 – 4:37.2 – Higbee – Wheeling

1946 – 4:36 – Morris – Moundsville

1947 – No results could be found

1948 – 4:37.8 – Snead – Beckley

1949 – 4:34.8 – Jim Canterbury – Oak Hill (Record)

1950 – ?:?? – Jim Canterbury – Oak Hill

1951 – 4:39.1 – Harold Saunders – Beckley

1952 – 4:39.4 – Cascio – Beckley

1953 – 4:41.7 – Morgan – Mt. Hope (?)

1954 – 4:41.7 – Morgan – Mt. Hope (?)

1955 – 4:49.2 – Gatens – Poca

1956 – 4:34.7 – George Walters – Washington-Irving (Record)

1957 – 4:44 – Hough – Charles Town

1958 – 4:34.0 – Keith Locke – Huntington (Record)

1959 – 4:34.9 – Keith Locke – Huntington

1960 – 4:46.4 – Terry Shy – Huntington East

1961 – 4:33.5 – Terry Shy – Huntington East (Record)

************DIVIDED INTO TWO CLASSES: AAA & AA***************

1962 – 4:27.9 – Shuler – Weir – AAA Boys (Record) – first sub-4:30 mile

1962 – 4:38.9 – McKinney – Fayetteville – AA Boys (Record)

1963 – 4:22.2 – Curtis Mason – Martinsburg – AAA Boys (Record)

1963 – 4:31 – McKinney – Fayetteville – AA Boys (Record)

1964 – 4:30.6 – Layne – Huntington East – AAA Boys

1964 – 4:29.9 – Hott – Romney – AA Boys (Record)

1965 – 4:28.6 – Logston – Moundsville – AAA Boys

1965 – 4:36.2 – Adkins – Pineville – AA Boys

1966 – 4:31.3 – Beckelheimer – Follansbee – AAA Boys

1966 – 4:35.0 – Adkins – Pineville – AA Boys

1967 – 4:33.4 – Robinson – Huntington East – AAA Boys

1967 – 4:33.2 – Griffith – Ceredo-Kenova – AA Boys

1968 – 4:27.8 – Blankenship – Summersville – AAA Boys

1968 – 4:36.2 – Stewart – Oceana – AA Boys

1969 – 4:26.1 – Saunders – Fairmont West – AAA Boys

1969 – 4:31.7 – Hayhurst – Valley – AA Boys

1970 – 4:21.5 – Rick Marquez – Morgantown – AAA Boys (Record)

1970 – 4:29.8 – Barnum – Williamstown – AA Boys (Record)

1971 – 4:20.9 – Steve Smith – Huntington – AAA Boys (Record)

1971 – 4:29.0 – David Duncan – Ceredo-Kenova – AA Boys (Record)

1972 – 4:18.8 – Kim Nutter – Parkersburg – AAA Boys (Record) – first sub-4:20 mile

1972 – 4:23.9 – Hardee – Musselman – AA Boys (Record)

1973 – 4:26.4 – Craig Cason – Parkersburg – AAA Boys

1973 – 4:35.8 – JoJo Dean – Ceredo-Kenova – AA Boys

1974 – 4:23.9 – Davis – Liberty – AAA Boys

1974 – 4:31.2 – Okey Clevenger – Doddridge – AA Boys

1975 – 4:21.3 – Steve Carnohan – Huntington – AAA Boys

1975 – 4:24.9 – JoJo Dean – Ceredo-Kenova – AA Boys

1976 – 4:22.1 – Koon – Fairmont West – AAA Boys

1976 – 4:19.3 – Dave Bowman – Duval – AA Boys (Record)

1977 – 4:15.5 – Bill Posey – St. Albans – AAA Boys (Record)

1977 – 4:25.4 – Terry Blankenship – Oceana – AA Boys

1978 – 4:14.0 – John Case – Fairmont West – AAA Boys (Record) – first sub-4:15 mile

1978 – 4:32.7 – Terry Blankenship – Oceana – AA Boys

1979 – 4:20.47 – Jeff Adkins – Beckley – AAA Boys

1979 – 4:35.1 – Rob Howell Midland Trail – AA Boys

************METRIC ERA – 1600 METER RUN************

1980 – 4:19.5 – Mike Kominsky – Oak Hill – AAA Boys (Record) – first sub-4:20 1600m

1980 – 4:24.9 – Dallas White – Athens – AA Boys (Record)

1981 – 4:26.37 – Brian Redman – Keyser – AAA Boys

1981 – 4:30.19 – Dallas White – Athens – AA Boys

1982 – 4:23.09 – Brian Grogan – Parkersburg – AAA Boys

1982 – 4:20.96 – Steve Taylor – St. Marys – AA Boys (Record)

1983 – 4:19.73 – Brian Redman – Keyser – AAA Boys

1983 – 4:30.94 – Steve Taylor – St. Marys – AA Boys

1984 – 4:18.43 – David Marks – Nitro – AAA Boys (Record)

1984 – 4:29.76 – Doug Hicks – Mt. Hope – AA Boys

1985 – 4:19.2 – Bubby Dent – DuPont – AAA Boys

1985 – 4:26.2 – Scott Simpkins – Shady Spring – AA Boys

1986 – 4:17.52 – Don DeCarlo – Morgantown – AAA Boys (Record)

1986 – 4:30.21 – Ben Garrett – Grafton – AA Boys

1987 – 4:24.8 – Parker – Keyser – AAA Boys

1987 – 4:31.4 – Mickey – Frankfort – AA Boys

1988 – 4:24.0 – Buck Brooks – Keyser – AAA Boys

1988 – 4:28.7 – Dave Ball – Spencer – AA Boys

1989 – 4:18.7 – Buck Brooks – Keyser – AAA Boys

1989 – No Results Found – AA Boys

1990 – 4:26.4 – Chad Rhoades – North Marion – AAA Boys

1990 – 4:25.8 – Steve Ball – Spencer – AA Boys

1991 – 4:26.57 – Jim Bob Akers – Milton – AAA Boys

1991 – 4:33.95 – Kevin Lake – Richwood – AA Boys

1992 – 4:24.1 – Andy McClintic – Greenbrier East – AAA Boys

1992 – 4:27.4 – Mikey Cox – Athens – AA Boys

1993 – 4:20.64 – Andy McClintic – Greenbrier East – AAA Boys

1993 – 4:17.54 – Mikey Cox – Athens – AA Boys (Record) – longest held outdoor Mile state meet record (24 years)

1994 – 4:29.14 – Keller – Ripley – AAA Boys

1994 – 4:33.39 – Jonathan Ramezan – Gilmer County – AA Boys

1995 – 4:26.82 – Scott Johnson – Hedgesville – AAA boys

1995 – 4:31.34 – Jonathan Ramezan – Gilmer County – AA Boys

1996 – 4:28.20 – Adam Toothman – Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

1996 – 4:27.8 – Aaron Nichols – Doddridge – AA Boys

1997 – 4:24.45 – Casey Batey – Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

1997 – 4:32.84 – Strother – Magnolia – AA Boys

1998 – 4:25.86 – Brooks Crislip – George Washington – AAA Boys

1998 – 4:26.96 – Josh Watson – Magnolia – AA Boys

1999 – 4:21.06 – Larry Atkins – Huntington – AAA Boys

1999 – 4:24.92 – Josh Watson – Magnolia – AA Boys

2000 – 4:23.78 – Brent Garrett – Capital – AAA Boys

2000 – 4:27.15 – Dusty Dent – Gilmer County – AA Boys

2001 – 4:24.11 – Zachary Beckett – Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

2001 – 4:26.73 – Josh Sheets – Doddridge County – AA Boys

2002 – 4:25.00 – Richard Kitching – Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

2002 – 4:25.41 – Josh Sheets – Doddridge County – AA Boys

*********DIVIDED INTO THREE CLASSES: AAA, AA & A**********

2003 – 4:28.20 – Bradley Dodson – Martinsburg – AAA Boys

2003 – 4:19.36 – Scott Gemberling – Grafton – AA Boys

2003 – 4:39.83 - Ryan Jobes – Williamstown – A Boys (Record)

2004 – 4:19.03 – Scott Gemberling – Preston – AAA Boys

2004 – 4:26.46 - Justin Bossert - Roane County – AA boys

2004 – 4:30.43 - Ryan Jobes - Williamstown – A Boys (Record)

2005 – 4:14.03 - Eric Ryan – Preston – AAA Boys (Record) – first sub-4:15 1600m

2005 – 4:26.20 - Andrew Benford – Ravenswood – AA Boys

2005 – 4:27.05 - Bobby Herron - Wheeling Central – A Boys (Record)

2006 – 4:31.13 - Josh Feather - Preston – AAA Boys

2006 – 4:29.52 - Andrew Benford – Ravenswood – AA boys

2006 – 4:29.48 - David Orejuela - Doddridge County – A Boys

2007 – 4:24.68 - Josh Feather – Preston – AAA boys

2007 – 4:30.18 – Zach Noel – Winfield – AA Boys

2007 – 4:38.69 - Adam Barker - Paden City – A Boys

2008 – 4:24.67 - Zach Tennant - North Marion – AAA Boys

2008 – 4:25.94 - Stewart Jones – Weir – AA Boys

2008 – 4:26.71 - Levi Grandt - Doddridge County – A Boys (Record)

2009 – 4:13.84 - Zach Tennant - North Marion – AAA Boys (Record)

2009 – 4:28.67 - Nathan Rees – Ravenswood – AA Boys

2009 – 4:33.85 - Derrick Chaffin - Richwood – A Boys

2010 – 4:14.30 - Brandon Doughty – Jefferson – AAA Boys

2010 – 4:32.22 - John Mundey - Berkeley Springs – AA Boys

2010 – 4:30.27 - Derrick Chaffin – Richwood – A Boys

2011 – 4:08.80 - Jacob Burcham - Cabell Midland – AAA Boys (Record) – first sub-4:10 1600m

2011 – 4:31.35 - Brandon Harless – Sherman – AA Boys

2011 – 4:32.78 - Andrew Shaffer – Richwood – A Boys

2012 – 4:08.91 - Jacob Burcham - Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

2012 – 4:27.71 - Will Shaffer – Scott – AA Boys

2012 – 4:23.18 - Dylan Rich – Buffalo – A Boys (Record)

2013 – 4:13.33 - Jacob Burcham - Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

2013 – 4:23.36 - Abe Merinar – Bridgeport – AA Boys

2013 – 4:23.19 - Dylan Rich – Buffalo – A Boys

2014 – 4:16.85 - Andrew Milliron – Jefferson – AAA Boys

2014 – 4:17.89 – Abe Merinar – Bridgeport – AA Boys

2014 – 4:32.11 - Glenn McMillan - Wirt County - A Boys

2015 – 4:18.26 – Nic Cheuvront – Parkersburg – AAA boys

2015 – 4:25.41 - Jason Weitzel – PikeView – AA Boys

2015 – 4:29.08 – Devin Rich – Buffalo – A Boys

2016 – 4:22.77 – Will Sheils - Cabell Midland – AAA boys

2016 – 4:20.11 – Austin Hayes - Webster County – AA Boys

2016 – 4:28.24 – Hunter Riffle - Doddridge County – A Boys

2017 – 4:26.22 - Chris Barbera - Woodrow Wilson – AAA boys

2017 – 4:22.00 - Aaron Withrow – Winfield – AA Boys

2017 – 4:32.97 – Hunter Riffle - Doddridge County – A Boys

1600 Meters (State Meet All-Class All-Time Top 10) – Converted:

1) 2011 - 4:08.80 - Jacob Burcham - Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

2) 2012 - 4:08.91 - Jacob Burcham - Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

3) 1978 - 4:12.67c - John Case - Fairmont Senior – AAA Boys

4) 2011 - 4:12.90 - Brandon Doughty – Jefferson – AAA Boys

5) 2013 - 4:13.33 - Jacob Burcham - Cabell Midland – AAA Boys

6) 1977 - 4:13.76c - Bill Posey - St. Albans – AAA Boys

7) 2009 - 4:13.84 - Zach Tennant - North Marion – AAA Boys

8) 2005 - 4:14.03 - Eric Ryan – Preston – AAA Boys

9) 2010 - 4:14.30 - Brandon Doughty – Jefferson – AAA Boys

10) 1977 - 4:15.45c - Dave Wilson – Dupont – AAA Boys

***************************************************

11) 2014 - 4:16.85 - Andrew Milliron – Jefferson – AAA Boys

12) 1972 - 4:17.44c - Kim Nutter – Parkersburg – AAA Boys

13) 1986 - 4:17.52 - Don DeCarlo – Morgantown – AAA Boys

[Conversions by RunWV]

* Source Jesse Skiles [High School Track & Field State Meet Boys – A Statistical History 1914-2001]

* Sources Josh Weekly RunWV [State Meet & State Meet All-Time List]

* Source “Why High Mileage Beats Interval Training” [Those who don't learn from the past (or the Kenyans) are doomed to repeat it] - Dec 18, 2012 | By Competitor Staff Writer

* History of the High School Boys Mile (State Meet Only) - Compiled by Coach Mike McMillion from three sources mentioned above

Dated November 14, 2017