CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Morgantown’s success in the distance events and relays propelled the Mohigans to the Class AAA state track championship Friday at University of Charleston Stadium.
The Mohigans won four events on the final day to score 96 points. That mark was 22 points better than the runners-up from Jefferson. MHS clinched the title with two events remaining. Junior Irene Riggs won her two events in the 1600 meters and the 800 meters. She also won the 3200 meters on Thursday night, en route to individual high point honors.
The Mohigans won the 4×800 and 4×400 relays. They also finished first, second and fourth in the 800 meter run to build a sizable lead that they would not relinquish.
“We just have so much talent — young talent and talent that is going to be leaving us as seniors. This isn’t the end. This is just the beginning. We have been here before and we plan to continue to keep this up. The tradition will continue at Morgantown High track,” said Morgantown head coach Steve Blinco.
“We now have the Mylan Park facility. And we are going to make a move at trying to host a state meet. Morgantown is ready to host this event and we are going to make a push to host this meet in our backyard next year.”
Jefferson recorded a pair of victories on the final day of the meet en route to runner-up honors. The Cougars finished first in the 4×100 and 4×200 relays. They also placed in the 4×400 and the shuttle relays.
A pair of Mountain State Athletic Conference athletes are double winners. Capital’s Candace Morris tied her state record in the 100 meters set Thursday in a time of 12.04 seconds. Morris also finished first in the 200 meters.
Hurricane’s Lily Haught swept the hurdle events, winning the 100 meter hurdles and the 300 meter hurdles by sizable margins.
Other winners on the final day included Preston’s Sierra Davis. She was the winner in the discus competition. University junior Sierra Lanham won the long jump by nearly a foot. She leaped 17 feet, 8 and a half inches. Parkersburg won the shuttle hurdle relay and George Washington’s Faith Smith was the winner in the pole vault.