— By David Walsh
ONA, W.Va. — The Morgantown and Elkins cross country programs achieved their top goal Saturday.
Morgantown swept the Class AAAA boys and girls divisions and Elkins scored the sweep in Class AAA at the WVSSAC State Cross Country Championships on the 5,000-meter course at Cabell Midland High School .
Morgantown’s girls prevailed with 47 points to 80 for runner-up Cabell Midland. Leyland Phillips (5th), Jenna Conaway (6th), Lauren Hawkins (9th), Tumaini Yawe (13th) and Kylie Cline (14th) made up the Morgantown team.
“We knew Cabell Midland would be tough. We run on their course. They’ve been underrated all year,” Mohigans’ coach Mike Ryan said. “Focus on our race. Let’s not worry about times. Coming off the hill I could think this is going to happen. It’s a big weight off our shoulders.”
“This is amazing. We worked all season for this,” Conaway said.
Musselman’s Sadie Yates tracked down Wheeling Park’s Breanna Tipton just before the final curve on the Midland track and sprinted in to a win in 17:54.
“I knew it would be between her and me,” Yates said. “At the end, I said, ‘How much have I got?’ I had it. It’s the state, I’ve got to. It’s my senior year.”
Yates is the first individual champion in Musselman history.
The Morgantown boys lineup featured Joaquin Summers (4th), Maxwell Abildso (7th), Joshua Shrewsberry (8th), Cole Boggs (13th) and Kayden Taylor (14th).
“I can exhale better,” said Ryan, coach of both teams. “A solid effort. We had one runner go bad in the pack. Suck it up and the rest step up. The sweep is sweet, It was a big goal. The boys and girls do a lot together. The girls said they did their job and now it’s time for the boys to do theirs.
“We are rivals (Morgantown and University). We all train together. Competition builds success. We had a long talk before the state. What we need to do to be the best in the state. Be together and don’t be selfish.”
University’s Micah Gainer took individual honors in 15:39. He outran Wheeling Park’s Rylan Moore and teammate Logan Conroy to prevail for the second straight year and finish unbeaten against in-state competition.
“Really proud,” Gainer said. “It’s the idea of family. This means everything. Catch a Morgantown runner? That’s all I think about.”
The girls for Elkins competed in the first race in the morning, which was ran in cool conditions. The Tigers led the way with 51 points to 77 for runner-up Bridgeport. Julia Biola placed fifth, Emilia Tenney eighth, Clara Pyles ninth, Molly McFadden 12th and Halley Kelly 17th.
Bridgeport sophomore Aria Selario won the individual title in 18:51.
“We’ve had our ups and downs,” Selario said. “This shows what we’ve worked for. At 2 miles, I felt good. Give it my best. I’m so surprised. It means so much to win.”
Elkins paced the boys with 63 points. Grafton took second (96) and Shady Spring third (98).
Trevor George (3rd) paced the Tigers. Treven Schaefer (9th), Dylan Fortney (18th), Donivan Petrice (20th) and Luke Valentine (29th) rounded out the winning effort.
Todd Price, assistant coach for the Tigers, called the wins sweet since each team has just eight runners.
“No wiggle room that’s for sure,” Price said. “If one’s off, that’s it. Trust the process and do it.”
The Elkins girls had motivation from finishing second a year ago.
“They had something to prove,” Price said. “Just missed last year. Run smart. After the first miel settle in and go. This is so special for both teams. Cross country hardly gets any recognition.”
Price said the teams got a police escort out of town Thursday for the trip here.
“That meant a lot,” he said.
Luca Altobello, senior at Keyser, outran Winfield’s Trace Marshall and George down the home stretch to win in 15:45.2. Marshall’s time was 15:45.6.
“I didn’t drive five hours to finish third,” Altobello said. “It’s been a dual all year between us. When we got on the track, I said, ‘it’s time to go to my place, to shine.’ “
Altobello is the first individual state champ at Elkins. He placed 26th as a freshman, 16th as a sophomore and second last year.”
“It’s so special, emotional. I love the people,” Altobello said.
Ritchie Country started the afternoon with a win in Class A Girls. The Rebels had 44 points, St. Mary’s 70 and Trinity 81.
Layla Devereux claimed the win for Ritchie County in 19:29.
Anna Bennett of St. Marys took second and Brianna Blake of Trinity third.
Cassandra Hardbarger was fourth for the Rebels, Jayden Primm 11th, Abigail Hardbarger 12th and Charlee Haddox took 23rd.
In Class A boys, St. Marys had the top two finishers and won with 43 points. Trinity was second (50) and Ritchie County third (76).
Koa Navarro of St. Marys paced the field and won in 16:52. Teammate Desmond Parks placed second. Then came Parker Barnes (6th), Wyatt Payne (15th) and Noah Mote (22nd.).
Class AA followed and Lincoln’s girls won the team title with 44 points. Williamstown took second (70) and Braxton County third (79).
Frankfort’s Bailey Ferguson won the individual title in 18:48.
Lincoln’s Raley Cochran led the way with a second-place finish and teammate Adalynn Milnes was third. Samantha Fitch took eighth, Kennedy Linville 11th and Matty Drainer 28th.
In the final race, Frankfort had two top runners in Class AA boys and won with 47 points. Doddridge County took second with 87 and Buffalo third with 116.
Tyler Consolidated’s Travis Moore won in 16:32. Frankfort’s top five finishers in order were: Eric Alexander (2nd), Johnny Jackson (3rd), Nixon Kidwell (11th), Porter Lott (13th) and Jordan VanMeter (27th).