Submitted photo Elkins High’s Hannah Phillips navigates the course at the Doddridge County Inviational on Tuesday.

WEST UNION – The Elkins High School boys placed eighth and the girls ran to a fifth-place showing over a muddy and soggy course at the Doddridge County Invitational on Tuesday.

The Tigers were led by senior captain Read Schumacher, who placed 28th in 20:15. Schumacher was followed by Luke Anger, who lost his shoe midway through the race but was able to still finish 36th in a time of 20:49.

James Smoak was 39th (20:52), Brennon Weese 51st (21:33), Charlie Smoak 52nd (21:28), Chris Fry 65th (21:54), Nathan Cooper 67th (22:09), Matt Gainer 71st (22:19), Austin Whetsell 74th (22:23), Braxton Kenney 95th (23:26), Noah Carr 97th (23:34), Tyler McKisick 105th (23:50), Hunter Shreve 108th (23:56), Brandon Rossi 112th (24:07), Antony Dong 139th (26:22), Jasper Clark 140th (26:25), Tyler Chewning 141st (26:29), Travis Jones 149th (28:01) and Anson Simms 153rd (29:31).

“I thought we ran well despite the conditions,” EHS coach Matt Lewis said. “We learned a lot today about the course, since they will host regionals, but I think all the guys agree we have work to do.”

Ritchie County took the team title with 61 points, followed by Doddridge 78, Preston 88, Ravenswood 155, Braxton County 170, Grafton 186, Tyler Consolidated 192, Elkins 204, Lewis County 239, Tucker County 241, Robert C. Byrd 284, Williamstown 206, South Harrison 347, Wirt County 348, Liberty 371, Roane County 383, Notre Dame 500 and Paden City 528.

“Overall, we have to work harder to position ourselves well at the start,” added EHS coach Melissa Carr. “Our start was horrible today and we had to dig out the entire race.”

The Lady Tigers were led by Lexie Morici and Addie Berdine, who would both take podium spots finishing in eighth and 16th, respectfully, crossing the stripe in times of 22:34 and 23:56.

Natalie Sutton was the next EHS finisher in 23rd 24:54, followed by Kaia Miller 39th (26:19), Kaeli Ricottilli 47th (27:07), Kaleigh Edwards 56th (28:22), Holly Harper 64th (29:00) and Hannah Phillips 73rd (30:06).

“The girls ran well today,” Lewis said. “If we can close some gaps, this is a state-meet caliber team.”

Williamstown won the team title with 46 points, followed by Preston 51, Ritchie County 88, Doddridge 97, Elkins 123, Grafton 177, Liberty 194, Tucker County 226, RCB 235, Tyler Consolidated 266, Notre Dame 292 and Wirt County 306.

“Our girls were really composed today,” Carr added. “Many of them picked up as many as 20 positions up Doddridge’s most challenging hill.”

Elkins will travel to Bridgeport to compete in the Indian Run Invitational on Saturday.