Class A Girls
100 Meter Dash
Doddridge's Jonna Ferrell repeated as champion by chasing down Wheeling Central's
Kenadee Wayt, who lead well over half the race as she exploded out of the blocks,
and holding off the late charge of Williamstown's Lilly McMullen, who set a State
Meet Record in the trials with a 12.41. In the final, Ferrell clocked a 12.80 with
Wayt and McMullen both scoring 12.82. No one else was under 13 seconds with Paden City's
Abbe Stackpole winning a close battle for 4th in 13.10, just ahead of Magnolia's Jaci
Rohde's 13.16. Greenbrier West's Julie Agee took the final spot at 13.29.
RunWV's Current Score: 6 of 6.
200 Meter Dash
Williamstown's Lilly McMullen pulled into the lead with about 90 meters to go and
steadily pulled away thereafter for the convincing win in 25.87. Wheeling Central's Kenadee Wayt
again got out well and just held off Doddridge's Jonna Ferrell for 2nd, 26.64 to 26.65.
Paden City's Abbe Stackpole was again 4th in 27.18. Madonna's Carly Dowiak was 5th
in 27.34 with Greenbrier West's Julie Agee taking the 6th spot in 27.71. One of my
predicted placers scratched out of the event to run a relay.
RunWV's Current Score: 11 of 12.
400 Meter Dash
Williamstown's Lilly McMullen assumed control of the race by the 200 meter mark and
continuously pulled away thereafter to win it by over 2.5 seconds with a 56.97, which stands
as the 7th Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Ella McMullen
gave Williamstown a 1-2 finish, taking the 2nd spot in 59.50. Greenbrier West's Danielle
Roberts with a 1:00.50 and St. Marys' Erica Davis with a 1:00.85 were the only
other competitors to go under 1:01. Wheeling Central's Nicole Billie took the 5th spot
in 1:01.91. Buffalo's Jillian King secured the 6th spot from the 1st heat with a 1:02.18.
One of my predicted placers scratched the event due to illness.
RunWV's Current Score: 16 of 18.
800 Meter Run
Williamstown's Ella Hesson assumed the early lead coming out of the break, but Buffalo's
Sydney Smith moved to the front shortly thereafter. Smith continued to lead through
the 1st lap, passing at 1:09. Hesson wasn't far behind, also passing in 1:09. Williamstown's
Tori Combs was in 3rd at 1:10, trailed closely by Charleston Catholic's Lindsay Carr,
also in 1:10. St. Marys' Erica Davis was in 5th at 1:11 with Gilmer's Lindsey
Chapman in 6th at 1:12. Hesson began to close on Smith as they approached the 600 meter
mark, but Smith held through the turn. Hesson started to make her final push as they were
coming out of the turn and made the pass with about 80 meters to go, and powered away for her
3rd individual title of the weekend in 2:22.99. Smith held off the late charge of Wheeling
Central's Nicole Billie for 2nd, 2:24.04 to 2:24.51. Billie used a strong 2nd lap
to move up from 7th to the 3rd spot. Carr easily held the 4th spot in 2:27.81. Davis easily
held the 5th position in 2:30.14. St. Joseph's McKenzie Moran just squeezed into the
6th spot within the last five meters to finish in 2:33.15.
RunWV's Current Score: 21 of 24.
1600 Meter Run
The race went out quickly with Buffalo's Sydney Smith establishing a small gap as
they came out of the break. At the end of lap one, Smith was in front at 1:13 with Williamstown's
Ella Hesson in 2nd at 1:15. Buffalo's Madi Michels was in 3rd at 1:17. St. Joseph's
McKenzie Moran was in 4th at 1:18 with Madonna's Kristina Lesho in 5th and
Charleston Catholic's Aubrey Custer in 6th, also at 1:18. The 2nd lap saw Smith expand
her lead, coming through at 2:36. Hesson retained the 2nd spot, but Michels had reeled her
in with both passing at 2:41. Custer had moved into 4th at 2:45 with Lesho and Moran in 5th
and 6th, respectively, at 2:46. On lap 3, Smith retained her lead, but it was starting to
shrink just a bit as she passed in 4:04. Hesson still held a slight edge over Michels for
2nd with both passing in 4:08. Custer remained in 4th at 4:14 with Lesho close behind in 5th
at 4:15. Moran had just moved back into the 6th position at 4:18. On the final lap, Smith
held her lead through 1400 meters but with Hesson and Michels continuing to close. At the 1400
meter mark, Hesson accelerated and made the pass shortly thereafter. She quickly generated
a gap as Michels also started to move around Smith. Smith wasn't able to respond, feeling the
effects of a rare 3200 the night before (my take on it, anyway) or perhaps the heat. Coming out of the final
turn, Hesson had opened the lead to over 5 meters, and expanded it a bit down the stretch
to take the win in 5:24.87. Michels moved solidly into the 2nd spot in 5:27.81. Smith held
the 3rd position in 5:32.03. Lesho outdueled Custer on the final lap to take the 4th spot
in 5:39.20 to Custer's 5:40.91. Moran held the 6th position in 5:43.94.
RunWV's Current Score: 26 of 30.
3200 Meter Run
The field went out at a reasonable pace, and the result was a large pack at the end of lap 1.
Buffalo's Madi Michels was in the lead at 1:20 with teammate Sydney Smith and
Williamstown's Ella Hesson matching that time. Tucker's Kate Falls was in 4th
at 1:21 with that time being matched by Charleston Catholic teammates Aubrey Custer
and Elizabeth Rushworth in 5th and 6th, respectively. At the end of lap 2, there were
still 11 athletes in contact with the main pack. Michels still led the field at 2:47 with
that time being matched by Smith, Custer, and Hesson in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively.
Rushworth was in the 5th spot at 2:48 with St. Marys' Jessy Higgins moving into the
6th position with the same time. By the end of lap 3, those six had opened a gap on the
remainder of the field. The front four all passed at 4:16 with Michels still in the lead
and Smith still in 2nd. Hesson and Custer were side-by-side with Hesson perhaps having the
slightest edge. Rushworth was in 5th at 4:17 with Higgins in 6th at 4:18. The front six
continued to widen their gap on the 4th lap. Michels continued to lead with Smith right on
her heels and Hesson right on hers with all passing at 5:46. They had opened a small gap
on Custer, who came through in 5:47. Rushworth remained in 5th at 5:51, and Higgins remained
in 6th at 5:52. On lap 6, the front three continued their breakaway with Michels, Smith, and
Hesson retaining their order and each coming through at 7:17. Custer remained in 4th at 7:20.
Rushworth continued to hold 5th at 7:22. Higgins maintained the 6th position at 7:28. Everyone
else was at least 15 seconds back at this point. On lap 6, the front three continued to
run within a stride of each other with the group coming through at 8:47, still in the order
of Michels, Smith, Hesson. Custer remained in 4th at 8:54. Rushworth was in 5th at 8:57.
Higgins was in 6th at 9:05. On lap 7, on the backstretch, Hesson made a move for the lead,
and Michels responded, and the pair quickly opened a gap on Smith as the race now began in
earnest. At the bell, it was Hesson with the slight lead on Michels with both at 10:14. Smith
was in 3rd at 10:18. Custer was in 4th at 10:31 with Rushworth closing in at 10:32. Higgins
remained in 6th at 10:42. On the backstretch of the final lap, Michels made a play for the
lead, but Hesson fended her off. With about 160 to go Hesson finally started generating a
gap and pulled away for the 3 second win in 11:30.02. Michels came through in a solid 2nd
at 11:33.10. Smith easily held the 3rd spot in 11:49.85. Rushworth moved up to 4th on the
final lap to finish in 12:03.04. Custer held the 5th spot in 12:10.41. Higgins took the
final position in 12:12.70. And I just discovered upon watching the video that the official
times for Rushworth and Custer are incorrect. They apparently thought Rushworth was lapped
as she moved back into lane 1 as she was crossing the finish line. Her "real" time would have
been in the low 11:57's. The time given to Rushworth was actually Custer's time, 12:03.04.
Custer was given the time of a lapped runner with a similar uniform as she completed her 7th lap.
RunWV's Current Score: 32 of 36.
100 Meter High Hurdles
Clay-Battelle's Hailey Carreon led from the gun and continued a family tradition of
100 Meter High Hurdle titles. Teammate Addison Ammons moved into the 2nd spot over
the 3rd hurdles and took control of it over the rest of the race. Carreon was the only one
to go under 16 seconds with her 15.72. Ammons' 16.09 was over 0.3 ahead of the rest of the field.
Parkersburg Catholic's Aaliyah Brunny edged out South Harrison's Shawnee Jenkins
16.44 to 16.48. The front six were all under 16.90 with Ritchie's Olivia Cress and
Ravenswood's Lakyn Swindler taking the final two spots at 16.80 and 16.86, respectively.
RunWV's Current Score: 37 of 42.
300 Meter Low Hurdles
Parkersburg Catholic's Aaliyah Brunny controlled the race from the outset and decimated
the field to win by over 1.6 seconds in 45.84. Pocahontas' Laila Calhoun closed well
down the stretch. She moved from what was essentially a tie for 6th coming out of the turn
and took the 2nd spot coming over the final hurdle to finish in 47.59. Charleston Catholic's
Mills Mullen was a close 3rd in 47.890. Ritchie's Presley Johnson snared the
4th spot in 48.79, just ahead of Trinity's Kaylie Laskody who finished in 48.87 as
the pair moved from 6th and 7th to 4th and 5th over the final hurdle and to the finish line.
Buffalo's Jillian King took the 6th spot in 49.06.
RunWV's Current Score: 42 of 48.
4x100 Meter Relay
The Wheeling Central foursome of Kaitlyn Ferns, Ireland Wayt, Marisa Horan, and Kenadee
Wayt sped away to a State Meet Record, which is also the 3rd Best All-Time Class
A-AA State Meet Performance. Doddridge held an easy 2nd in a strong 50.94. Paden City
edged Williamstown for the 3rd spot, 51.86 to 51.98. Madonna snagged 5th out of the 1st heat
in 53.02, just a bit faster than Magnolia's 53.10.
RunWV's Current Score: 46 of 54.
4x200 Meter Relay
The Williamstown group of Camryn Irvin, Emma Berman, Ella McMullen, and Lilly McMullen
obliterated the State Meet Record by over 1.5 seconds with a 1:45.36, pulling away in
the last 100 meters on an excellent anchor leg from Lilly McMullen. That time was also
good enough to be the 3rd Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. And they
needed it, too, as Wheeling Central's team of Marisa Horan, Nicole Billie, Ireland Wayt,
and Kenadee Wayt also broke the old State Meet Record. Their time of 1:46.36 was strong
enough to be the 9th Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Record. No one else was within
5 seconds of these two. East Hardy won a close battle for the 3rd spot in 1:51.88. Ritchie
was 4th in 1:52.09. Pocahontas was 5th in 1:52.53, and Pady City was 6th in 1:53.09.
RunWV's Current Score: 51 of 60.
4x400 Meter Relay
St. Marys led through the first leg with Williamstown close behind and Charleston Catholic
in 3rd. Those three were well out front. On the 2nd leg, Charleston Catholic got around
Williamstown on the backstretch and then sped around St. Marys coming out of the turn to take
the lead through 2 legs. Williamstown also made the pass on St. Marys and held the 2nd spot.
St. Marys retained the 3rd position. I think it was Ritchie in 4th, Magnolia in 5th, and
Wheeling Central in 6th. On the 3rd leg, Williamstown closed up on Charleston Catholic with
about 200 to go and made the pass with about 140 to go before opening a solid gap. Wheeling
Central had moved up to 3rd with St. Marys in 4th. Ritchie was in 5th and Magnolia in 6th.
On the final leg, Williamstown pulled away to give the foursome of Camryn Irvin, Sofia
Calvet, Emma Berman, and Ella McMullen the convincing win in 4:10.21 which is a New
State Meet Record. Charleston Catholic held off Wheeling Central 4:17.82 to 4:18.75.
St. Marys easily held the 4th spot in 4:23.08. Magnolia took the 5th spot in 4:26.38. Tucker
scored 6th out of the first heat with a 4:28.50.
RunWV's Current Score: 55 of 66.
4x800 Meter Relay
A close opening leg saw St. Marys come through with a slight edge at 2:25 with Williamstown
right on their heels. Wheeling Central held the 3rd spot at about 2:27. Charleston Catholic
was in 4th at 2:33. Williamstown pushed to the front down the homestretch of the 2nd leg,
coming through in 4:55 to St. Marys' 4:56. Charleston Catholic was in 3rd at 5:07 with Pocahontas
in 4th at 5:17, followed by Madonna at 5:19 and I think maybe Ritchie in 6th. Williamstown
started assert themselves toward the end of the 3rd leg, opening a significant gap, coming through
in 7:29. St. Marys held a very slight edge over Charleston Catholic for 2nd with both coming
through in 7:37. Pocahontas remained in 4th at 8:00 with Madonna close behind in 8:01. St.
Joseph was up to 6th in 8:04. On the final leg, Williamstown was never threatened as Ella
Hesson extended their lead and brought home the win for Tori Combs, Sofia Calvet, Chloe
Lightfritz, and Ella Hesson in 9:52.59. Charleston Catholic pulled away for complete
control of the 2nd spot in 10:04.44. St. Marys easily held the 3rd position in 10:20.08.
Pocahontas took the 4th position in 10:35.20. St. Joseph just slipped into the 5th position
in the last few meters to finish in 10:36.96 to Madonna's 10:37.42.
RunWV's Current Score: 60 of 72.
Shuttle Hurdle Relay
Clay-Battelle got out to a quick lead, but Ritchie caught up to them at the end of the 3rd
leg and slipped away for the close win in 1:06.19 to 1:06.56. Pocahontas held the 3rd spot
in 1:09.22. South Harrison picked up 4th from the 2nd heat in 1:09.94 after getting someone
back from injury. Doddridge held the 5th spot in 1:09.98. Williamstown was 6th in 1:10.51.
RunWV's Current Score: 66 of 78.
High Jump
Ritchie's Olivia Cress was the only jumper to clear 5'2. Hundred's Katherine
Henderson and Union's Bridgette Knapp were the only others to clear 5'0 in taking
2nd and 3rd, respectively. Buffalo's Jillian King was 4th and Parkersburg Catholic's
Aaliyah Brunny was 5th with both at 4'10. Also clearing 4'10 and finishing in a tie
for 6th were Trinity's Kaylie Laskody and Wahama's Abbie Lieving.
RunWV's Current Score: 71 of 84.
Pole Vault
Notre Dame's Sophie Talkington defended her title and set a New State Meet Record
with her vault of 11'3.25. That mark also stands as the 6th Best All-Time State Meet
Performance and the 2nd Best All-Time Class A-AA State Meet Performance. Ritchie's
Abi Haught was the only other vaulter to clear 10'0 in taking 2nd. Doddridge's
Cmaeron Smith and Clay-Battelle's Addison Ammons both cleared 9'6 in taking 3rd
and 4th place, respectively. Tyler Consolidated's Emily Lancaster and Williamstown's
Emma Berman cleared 8'6 in taking 5th and 6th, respectively.
RunWV's Current Score: 76 of 90.
Long Jump
Ritchie's Olivia Cress sailed 16'5.50 on her 2nd jump to take the win. Doddridge's
Faith Galagar was the only other jumper to top 16'0 with her jump of 16'1.25 on her
final attempt for 2nd. Magnolia's Jaci Rohde for 3rd, giving Freshmen the top 3 spots.
Ritchie's Catherine Jones was 4th with a 15'5.50. Buffalo's Jillian King took
the 5th spot on the tie-breaker over Williamstown's Jillian Modesitt with both hitting 15'5.25.
RunWV's Current Score: 79 of 96.
Shot Put
Magnolia's Mady Winters launched the shot 38'4.50 on her first attempt, and no one
was able to approach it as she took the event by over 3'. Teammate Kyndra Pilant was
the only other thrower to hit 35' with her toss of 35'0.50. Williamstown's Beth Arnold
was the only other one to hit 34' with her toss of 34'3.50. Charleston Catholic's Colleen
Oleary was 4th at 33'4.50, over a foot ahead of the rest of the field. Wirt's Alexis
Petrovsky was 5th with a 31'11.50, and Madonna's Kennedy Martin was 6th with a
31'7.75.
RunWV's Current Score: 85 of 102.
Discus
Magnolia's Mady Winters sent her 3rd throw 124'5 to take the win. Madonna's Kennedy
Martin was able to join her over 120' with her toss of 121'6. Magnolia's Kyndra Pilant
threw 115'3 for 3rd. Wirt's Alexis Petrovsky was the only other thrower to top 110'
with her throw of 111'0 for 4th. South Harrison's Shellie Baughman went 105'5 for 5th.
Williamstown's Beth Arnold threw 103'2 for the final spot.
RunWV's Current Score: 91 of 108.
The final score of 91 of 108 means that 84.3% of the people picked to place did indeed place, a pretty mediocre showing. Congratulations to those that proved me wrong.
Exceeding Predictions
The following athletes exceed the predictions by 3 or more places and deserve special mention.
Danielle Roberts, Greenbrier West -- 400 M (picked 6th, got 3rd)
Lindsey Carr, Charleston Catholic -- 800 M (not picked, got 4th)
Kristina Lesho, Madonna -- 1600 M (not picked, got 4th)
Addison Ammons, Clay-Battelle - 100 HH (picked 5th, got 2nd)
Aalyiah Brunny, Parkersburg Catholic - 100 HH (picked 6th, got 3rd)
Laila Calhoun, Pocahontas -- 300 LH (picked 6th, got 2nd)
Presley Johnson, Ritchie -- 300 LH (not picked, got 4th)
East Hardy -- 4x200 M (not picked, got 3rd)
(Emili Flynn, Holly Snyder, Emma Lutz, Sierra Miller)
Katherine Henderson, Hundred -- High Jump (not picked, got 2nd)
Faith Galagar, Doddridge -- Long Jump (picked 6th, got 2nd)
Catherine Jones, Ritchie -- Long Jump (not picked, got 4th)
The following teams deserve kudos for scoring seven points or more higher than I predicted.
Class A Girls Hundred + 8