— By David Walsh
ONA, W.Va. — University and Morgantown put on impressive performances in tough conditions Saturday at the state cross country championships on the soggy 3.1-mile course at Cabell Midland High School.
University’s boys won Class AAA with 30 points. Morgantown’s girls did even better with five runners making the top seven to prevail with 21 points.
Josh Edwards won the individual title in 15:51 while battling heavy rain. Three teammates made the podium in Rocco DeVincent in third, Drew Zundel in fourth and Ryan Blohm in fifth. Jacob West placed 17th. Wheeling Park was second with 84 and Hurricane third with 92. The Redskins did not have Aaron Kidd, who was sidelined with Covid-19.
Edwards, who will head to Oregon after graduation, went out front early and pretty much coasted home.
“Got a little wet when I stepped to the line, then it started raining,” he said. “That’s cross country. Go out and race. One thing is I shouldn’t have work track spikes. Not big on plans. Things change on the course. I’m confident in myself, my capabilities. Nothing’s guaranteed.”
The depth for the Hawks just overwhelmed the field.
“It’s good to get motivated,” Edwards said. “Legacy is defined by showing what you can do. We know how to run motivated. When I got here (freshman) it was a complete cultural change. I know we can do it. It’s sad to leave.”
Morgantown’s Irene Riggs won in 18:24. Rounding out the romp for the Mohigans are Lea Hatcher in third, Jennifer O’Palko in sixth, Sophie Renner in seventh and Amelia Summers in eighth for their third straight team win. University was second with 89 and Cabell Midland third with 116.
Allie Martin of Preston took second (20:23), making her the closest any in-state competitor has been to Riggs this season. Prior to Saturday, the closest call had been 37 seconds.
“Decided to start fast and see what happens,” Riggs said about her plans. “The main objective was bring the state title back. Coach (Michael) Ryan is a great coach. He dedicates his time. The hard work pays off. Three in a row, excited about that.”
Winfield got things started Saturday with a sweep in Class AA. The Generals had 72 points to 100 for No. 2 Fairmont Senior and 112 for No. 3 Wayne.
Rachael Withrow, second a year ago, led Winfield with the win in 20:04. Teammate Marian Al-Soubi was fifth. Then came Sophie Brisco, 11th; Nikki Walker, 20th; and Allie German, 35th.
Addison Lease of Frankfort was second (20:23) and Fairmont Senior’s Lydia Falkenstein third (20:42). Wayne’s Olivia Williamson was fourth and Emily Williamson sixth.
In the boys, Winfield outdueled Frankfort to win with 46 points. Frankfort had 50 and Oak Glen 95. Winfield’s Brayden Marshall used a sprint down the home stretch of the Chris Parsons Track to take first in 16:24. He raced past Jacob Dowdy of Shady Spring (16:25) and Generals teammate Matthew Scheneberg (16:33). Winfield’s depth paid off as Justin Lipscomb was 12th, Tyler Weiford 13th Jordan Reesman 19th.
In Class A, Doddridge had another battle with Williamstown in the girls, and won this time with 34 points. Williamstown was second with 53. Katie Cottrill, who missed the regional meet, returned for Doddridge and won (19:37).
For the boys, Williamstown had been the class of the division all season and romped to victory again with 30 points. The champs dominated with all five runners placing in the Top 10. Buffalo was second with 88 and Ritchie third with 89.
Aidan Scott of Wheeling Central paced the individual race, winning in 17:29 in the final race of the day and the course completely chopped up.
“Don’t give up now, almost done,” Scott said in a post-race interview.
Michael Cline of Wood County Christian was second and Patrick Reilly of Buffalo third.