Submitted photo The Elkins High School 4x100 track team captured first place Friday evening. From left: JJ Cepeda, DeMarcus Franklin, Randal Marks, and Elias Jones strike a pose.

ELKINS–A pair of freshmen led the Elkins High School track teams to victories at Friday’s Snowshoe Foundation Invitational at Irwin Track.

For the EHS girls, Marissa Brenwalt contributed three first place finishes and tallied 22.5 points while fellow frosh Elias Jones led the Tiger boys in individual scoring with 15 points.

Brenwalt picked up individual wins in the 100 hurdles (16.0) and 300 hurdles (51.20) and was also a member of the winning EHS 4×200 (2:00.73) team. That relay included Aubrey Currence, Savannah Rowan, and Julia Biola.

“This was Marissa’s first time running the 300 hurdles,” said EHS girls coach Scott Biola. “She’s a natural hurdler and that definitely showed with both of her individual wins.”

Other Tiger girls earning a Snowshoe Foundation medal for first place individual finishes included Biola in the 800 (2:34.19) and Emilia Tenney in the 1600 (5:36.03).

Harman’s Jessie Heavener and Tygarts Valley’s Emily Smith rounded out Randolph County’s medal winners on the girls side, respectively taking first in the 400 (1:09.42) and long jump (13’2″).

Relay winners were also awarded Snowshoe Foundation medals. For the Tiger girls that included Biola and Tenney again along with Emma Gilbert and Mallory Bennett in the 4×800 relay (10:56.34).

In girls team scoring, Grafton and Elkins tied for first place with 105 points apiece. North Marion took third with 97 points followed by Tucker County (85), Lewis County (76), Tygarts Valley (37), Pocahontas County (33), Petersburg (32), Nicholas County (27), Harman (15), Pendleton County (11), and Philip Barbour (8).

On the boys side, Jones shared roles in two different winning EHS relays, the 4×100 (46.76) and 4×400 (3:51.53). Jones’ teammates on the 4×100 included JJ Cepeda, Randal Marks, and DeMarcus Franklin. The rest of the EHS 4×400 included Bobby Valentine, Logan Rowan, and Johnathan Dean.

“I was really impressed with our overall team effort in less than ideal weather,” said EHS boys coach Shane Richardson. “Elias Jones really showed out tonight scoring in all four events including a last-second decision to run him in our 4×100 relay.”

The EHS boys 4×800 (8:27.22) also broke a meet record that Hedgesville set in 2008 (8:34.96). The record-setting Tiger relay included Valentine, Josh Bodkins, Gavin Brown, and Trevor George.

It is noteworthy that meet records from what was formerly known as the Irwin Invitational carry forward despite the meet’s new moniker. The newly named Snowshoe Foundation Invitational at Irwin Track acknowledges the Tiger track program’s gratitude for financial support from the Snowshoe Foundation. At the same time, legendary EHS coach Bob Irwin’s legacy remains a part of the EHS tradition moving forward at what is now known as Irwin Track.

The Tigers also captured a first place finish in the 4×200 (1:37.99) with contributions by Dean, Andres Masten, Chris See, and Franklin.

Individual winners for the EHS boys included Valentine in the 800 (2:08.30) and Marks in the high jump (5’6″).

With 155 points, the EHS boys dominated the team competition. Lewis County (87 points) was the runner-up followed by Tucker County (75), Grafton (61), Philip Barbour (56), Pendleton County (50), Nicholas County (39), Pocahontas County (38), North Marion (37), Webster County (15) and Petersburg (10).

The Tiger Track teams return to action this Friday at the UMWA Husky Invitational. North Marion High School hosts the event, which is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m.