WEST VIRGINIA STATE MEET

Ty Steorts, Alyssa Sauro Fastest Of The Day In West Virginia; University Boys, Morgantown Girls Defend 3A Titles

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

A year after becoming the first to win a boys state individual cross country title in program history, Hurricane High’s Ty Steorts has not skipped a beat this fall.

On Saturday, at the West Virginia State High School Cross Country Championships, Steorts raced to his second straight 3A title, covering the 5,000-meter course at Cabell Midland in a time of 15 minutes, 15.59 seconds.

Teammate Aaron Kidd was runner-up in 15:29.81. Despite going 1-2, Hurricane was fourth as a team.

University won its fifth straight tire with 35 points. Runner-up was Jefferson with 95 points. University placed five in the top 13, and all seven finished in the top 22. 

Despite the graduation of All-American and course record holder Irene Riggs, the Morgantown girls had no problem filling the void. Senior Madeline Gump won the Class 3A title in 18:28.47, and five runners finished in the top 12 for Morgantown to score 35 points and claim the Mohigans' fourth consecutive state championship.

Winfield’s Brayden Marshall repeated as the 2A champion in 15:29.62. He won the race by 45 seconds. Winfield won the team championship with an impressive 22 points, including a 1-2-3 sweep of the top spots and all five scorers in the top 10. 

Winfield’s Ava Ethridge also repeated as an individual winner in Class 2A (19:40.23), while Braxton County claimed the team title. 

Junior Alyssa Sauro, who placed ninth at the CHAMPS Sports national finals last year, won the 1A title in dominant fashion, breaking the tape in 17:59.62, more than a minute and 30 seconds faster than the next finisher. Williamstown defended the title with 57 points. 

Patrick Reilly led Buffalo to a 1A title winning the boys race in 15:59.98. Buffalo went 1-3 and finished with three in the top 10. 

Team Champions

Class 3A - University boys 35 points; Morgantown girls 35 points  - RESULTS

Class 2A - Winfield boys 22 points; Braxton County girls 64 points - RESULTS

Class 1A - Buffalo boys 51 points; Williamstown girls 57 points - RESULTS