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Tigers track team roars in Buckhannon

Elkins High School’s Carmen Woodward, left, takes the baton from teammate Nonee High Tuesday during a relay event at a track and field meet at Buckhannon-Upshur High School.

BUCKHANNON — The Elkins High School track teams fine-tuned a few things Tuesday in Buckhannon, before their annual trip to the Gazette Friends of Coal Relays this coming weekend.

The meet started with a bang for the Tigers as the boys 4x800m relay of Devan Ricottilli, Mason Clark, Brendan Wallace and Adam Yokum rolled to a victory in 8:59.0.

Things would continue to go well for Elkins as the 4x100m relay of Mason Kimbleton, Luke Masten, Yokum and Logan Bickel would post a season-best 46.9 to take second, while the 4x400m relay of Masten, Wallace, Yokum and Andrew Kesling would also take second in 3:48, and Masten took an individual second in the high jump with a leap of 5’4”.

“Some of our top performers continued to show their consistency tonight as we decided to run a lighter schedule to rest some athletes before the weekend,” said coach Matt Lewis. “We’ve almost got all the things tweaked that needed it, as we head towards championship season.”

The Tigers would take numerous places throughout the event, with Josh Browning earning third in shot with a toss of 35-7, Hayden Long taking third in the 100m high hurdels in 19.07, and the 4x200m relay of Kimbleton, Masten, Yokum, and Bickel placing third in 1:39.17.

Elkins High School pole vaulter Brendan Wallace clears the bar during a track and field meet at Buckhannon-Upshur High School Tuesday.

“We are starting to see some personal bests come through for our athletes and relays, which is exactly what we want right now,” said Lewis. “I’ve been extremely pleased with how our youth and inexperience is starting to disappear.”

Jacob Lewis took fourth in the 3200m in 12:02, Brendan Wallace fourth in pole vault at 10′, Avery Evick fourth in 110m high hurdles in 19.79, James Smoak fourth in the 1600m in 5:38, Kesling third in the 400m 57.70, Brodie Healey fifth in discus 91’3”, and Justin Bibey fifth in long jump at 17’0.25”.

“The boys have really been listening well and their ability to make the necessary changes we have asked, has been great,” said coach Jonny Gainer. “I think we can really do some big things as the season closes.”

The Elkins girls would pick up three relay wins on the evening, taking the 4x100m and 4x200m in 53.47 and 1:52.82. Those teams consisted of Nonee High, Carmen Woodward, Tiara Rowe and Sofia Triplett.

The 4x400m relay of High, Kaci Zopp, Rowe and Triplett would also come home first in 3:23.93. The 4x800m relay of Rachel Crawford, Kaeli Ricottilli, Caitlin Weese and Sophie Hummer would take second in 12:32, while the shuttle hurdle relay of Hannah Phillips, Ellie Sizick, Summer Channell, and Zopp earned third in 1:12.99.

“Our relays are really starting to click,” said coach Tish Propst. “I think we have everyone right where they need to be, now it comes down to want and execution.”

Lexie Morici took first in the 3200m in 13:30 for the Lady Tigers, while school pole vault co-record holder Zopp would capture top honors in the pole vault at 8′. Morici would go on to take second in the 800m 2:46, with Rachel Crawford taking second in the 1600m at 6:46. Sophie Hummer would come home third in the 3200m in 14:03. Erin Dettinger would snag third in the 200m posting a 30.19 finish.

“We’ve really been working hard and we are starting to see our athletes meet the expectations we have set for them,” said Propst.

Breanna Celli earned fourth in the shot at 26’10” while fellow teammate Jocelyn Martin would take fifth with a toss of 25’10”.

“It’s good to see our throwers getting some good throws in as we get ready for some big meets,” added coach Mike White.

A select group of Tigers will head to Laidley Field in Charleston Friday and Saturday for the Gazette Relays, with events beginning at 2 p.m. The Tigers next will be up at the Big 10 Championships May 5.

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