×

Elkins to host regional cross country championships Thursday

The Inter-Mountain file photo by Logan Come Elkins is looking to qualify for the state championships for the 13th time in 15 years.

ELKINS — The Elkins High School cross country teams will play host to the Region II AA/A Championships Thursday at the Davis & Elkins College Athletic Complex.

The Tigers have been riding high the past few years and will be looking to qualify for the West Virginia State Cross Country Championships next weekend for a fifth consecutive year. and an impressive 13th time in the last 15 seasons.

“The boys team has shown incredible consistency over those years, and once again they’ve put themselves in a position to get back to Cabell Midland next weekend,” coach Matt Lewis said. “I honestly feel as we still haven’t put a complete team race together this season, but we’re at home, and we know our course better than anyone.”

Senior Mason Clark will be looking to qualify for the Championships for his fourth consecutive season.

“Mason has been an incredible performer for us over the years and I’m glad he will get one more chance to run our course,” Lewis said.

Joining Clark will be fellow seniors Adam Yokum, Jacob Lewis and Kyle Murphy, who will be looking to qualify for the state meet for a first time.

“Adam is coming off of a First Team All-State performance in track, so I can’t wait to see what he can do in the Regional meet, while Kyle joined us this year for his first season,” Lewis added. “Jacob is finally getting over a sickness at just the right time.”

Joining the seniors will be Juniors Read Schumacher and James Smoak.

“Read narrowly missed making second team All-Conference last week and is starting to peak at the right time,” Lewis said. “James has been a consistent fifth runner for us all season and tends to run quite well at home.”

Sophomore Antony Dong will make up the final piece of the squad in their attempt to qualify for next weekend’s meet.

Individually, Bridgeport’s Mark Duez, Danah Phillips of Robert C. Byrd and Elkins’ own Mason Clark are the favorites, while Bridgeport is the heavy favorite to take the team title.

The other four teams vying for the three additional team qualifying spots are Doddridge, Elkins, RCB and Tucker.

On the girls side, Elkins unfortunatley will not field a complete team because of an injured fifth runner. Sophomore Lexie Morici will lead the Lady Tigers as she looks to qualify for her first state meet.

“Lexie has been a beast all season, and I’m really excited to see how well she can run at home Thursday,” Lewis said.

Senior Taylor Maynard will compete in her final Regional meet for the orange and black, and will be joined by junior Kaeli Ricottilli, and freshmen Addie Berdine.

“It’s unfortunate we don’t have the opportunity to qualify as a complete team, but I think we can get a couple of these girls in individually,” Lewis added.

Desirae Schoonover of Doddridge, Julia Muller of Bridgeport and Lexie Morici of Elkins are the individual race favorites, while Bridgeport is favored in the team competition. Doddridge and RCB will look to snag the other two team qualifying positions.

The girls race will get underway at 1 p.m., followed by the boys at 1:45 p.m. Team set to compete are Braxton, Bridgeport, Clay-Battelle, Doddridge, East Hardy, Elkins, Gilmer, Harman, Lewis, Liberty Harrison, Lincoln, Moorefield, Notre Dame, Pendleton, Pickens, Roane, Robert C. Byrd, South Harrison, Trinity Christian, Tucker, Tygarts Valley, Union and the West Virginia School for the Deaf. The region will qualify the top three girls teams and top four boys.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today