Starcher Drops Out of AAA Race; University Rolls

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Standout Ripley High runner Tori Starcher fell and did not finish her state meet race on Saturday at the West Virginia state championships.

The 2017 Foot Locker National qualifier, ranked No. 25 nationally, wasn’t able to defend her AAA title after collapsing mid-race at Cabell Midland High in Ona, W.V. Starcher's condition afterward was not believed to be serious. 

The Foot Locker South Regionals are set to Nov. 24 at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, NC, a race Starcher where finished second last year to qualify for nationals.

The girls AAA title was won by junior Madison Trippett of Parkersburg in 18 minutes. University easily repeated as AAA state champs, scoring 43 points, as three runners finished in the top 10 and six made the top 20. Junior Zoe Shetty was the top finisher, capturing runner-up honors in 18:24.

Ronnie Saunder of Wheeling Park finished with the fastest time of the day, 15:55, to win the AAA boys title. Cabell Midland won the team crown with 55 points. Four CM runners finished in the top 15.

In the boys AA/A race, Fairmount Senior edged out defending champion Winfield 70-71 for the team title. Bridgeport was a close third with 79 points. Individually, senior Aaron Withrow repeated as the champion, clocking 16:02. 

After finishing second last season, sophomore Ella Hesson of Williamstown won the AA/A in  19:25. The Winfield girls on the team title again, placing four runners in the top 15. Sophomore Baylee Atkins was the top finisher in third for Winfield.

Team Champions

Class AAA Boys - Cabell Midland 55 points

Class AAA Girls - University 43 points

Class AA/A Boys -Fairmount Senior 70

Class AA/A Girls - Winfield 62 points