West Virginia State Meet

Sophomores Edwards, Hatcher Fastest In West Virginia

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

With a first-place finish from sophomore Josh Edwards, the University High boys cross country team rolled to the AAA West Virginia State title on Saturday at Cabell Midland in Ona.

Edwards was the first to cross the line in 15 minutes, 49.9 seconds. University placed three runners in the top 10 to score 66 points. Morgantown was second with 85 points.

The girls AAA race was dominated from the start by Morgantown, as sophomore Lea Hatcher won in a meet record time of 17:24.8 and led a 1-2-3 finish for the Mohigans. Hatcher had a 10-second margin over teammate and runner-up Athena Young and freshman Irene Riggs was third in 18:14.4 Morganton had all five runners finish in the top 20 to score 39 points.

The state's top runner heading into the season, Nike Elite Camper Victoria Starcher from Ripley, suffered a stress fracture in late August and missed the remainder of the season.  

The boys and girls AA/A team race was a sweep by Fairmont. In the boys race, Fairmont senior Ethan Kincell led the charge, winning in 16:20.7, as the team placed three in the top eight.

The Fairmont girls finished with three runners in the top nine to score 78 points and claim the title. Junior  Erykah Christopher of East Fairmont took top individual honors, winning in 18:53.4.

Team Champions

Class AAA: University boys 66 points; Morgantown girls 39 points - RESULTS

Class AA/A: Fairmont Senior boys 48 points; Fairmont Senior girls 78 points - RESULTS