Bruce McKean
Contributing writer
The Pocahontas County High School track teams competed against three Class AAA, four AA and one other A school in the rescheduled “Bob” Irwin Invitational at the Elkins High School track April 11. Both PCHS squads placed in nine of the 18 events, and the girls placed fourth (52 points) of nine schools, and the boys placed eighth (43.5).
The other girls teams finished: #1 N. Marion – 146 points, #2 Elkins – 142, #3 Fairmont – 68, #5 Preston – 51, #6 P. Barbour – 49, #7 E. Fairmont – 35 and #8 – T. Valley – 7. The other boys squads placed: #1 E. Fairmont – 119, #2 – Buckhannon – 99, #3 – N. Marion – 58, #4 – Elkins – 57.5, #5 – Fairmont – 55, #6 – Preston – 54.5, #7 – P. Barbour – 51.5 and #9 – T. Valley – 43.5.
The girls 4×800 of Melissa Murphy, Megan Galford, Michelle Murphy and Cora Hedrick won gold (10:44.88 which ranked #3 in WV Class A through meets held by April 16). Kelsey Brooks took silver in the discus (83-10.25). Bringing home bronze was Cora Hedrick in the 3200 (12:55.95 – ranked #8 in WV), Sarah Ryder in the 300 hurdles 30” (56.48), and the 4×400 of Bryce Kranc, Hedrick, Melissa Murphy and Galford (4:37.59).
Placing fourth were Melissa Murphy in the 1600 (6:05.09), the 4×100 of Allie Burns, Brittany Sharp, Kranc and Ryder (59.30) and the 4×200 of Kranc, Ryder, Sharp and Galford (2:02.23). Claiming 6th was Galford in the 400 (1:08.05).
Boys winning silver were: Conner Pyles in the 400 (53.52 which ranked #10 in WV), Kyle Lester in the 800 (2:15.63), and the 4×800 of Lester, Jacob Jones, Tyler Owens and Pyles (9:03.55 which ranked #6 in WV).
Grabbing fourth was the 4×400 of Lester, Kyle Cohenour, Jacob Jones and Pyles (3:56.25 which ranked #8 in WV). Placing fifth was Ryan Irvine in the high jump (5-02.00). Scoring in sixth were: the 4×200 of Michael Morrison, Morgan Baldwin, Logan Dilley and Pyles (1:43.16), the 4×110 shuttle hurdles of Cohenour, Keith Harrah, Baldwin and Morrison (1:11.97), Irvine in the shot put (35-06.00), and Danny Kimble Jr in the discus throw (112-11.25).
Pyles placed in all four of his events, and Lester placed in three. Galford scored in all four of her events, and Melissa Murphy, Hedrick, Ryder and Kranc scored in three events each. Hedrick’s best time in the 800 is still ranked #8 in WV.
The PCHS girls placed #3 (55 points) at the Nicholas County Invitational on Tuesday, April 19 behind #1 AA Shady Spring (165 points) and #2 AA Nicholas (113). The PCHS boys finished #6 (42) behind #1 Nicholas (116) and #2 Shady (92). Eight AA and five A schools ran in the meet. The girls placed in 10 of 17 events, and the boys placed in nine of 17.
Taking two gold medals for the girls was Hedrick in the 1600 (5:46.43 which would have been #6 this week in WV) and 3200 (12:33.34 which would have been #7 in WV). Bringing home silver was the 4×800 (10.39 – still #3 in WV, but improved). Securing bronze was Melissa Murphy in the 3200 (13.05 which would have been #10 in WV this week).
The girls placed from fourth through sixth in six events: #4 Bridget Carroll – discus (82’7”), #4 4×400 (4:45.94), #5 4×100 (58:95), #5 800 – Melissa Murphy (2:43.20), #5 shuttle hurdles (1:21.68), and #6 100 – Ryder (19:00).
Taking gold for the boys was Irvine in the discus (120’6” ). Receiving silver was the 4×800 (9:00.25 which would have been #5 in WV). Landing bronze was the 4×400 (3:44.00 which would have been #4 in WV).
The boys placed from fourth through sixth in six events also: #4 high jump – Dilley (5’6” would have been #10 in WV), #4 shot put – Brady Jones (37’11”), #4 400 – Pyles (54.62), #5 4×200 (1:41.52), #5 4×100 (49.70), #6 shuttle hurdles (1:09.53).
The PCHS teams will travel to Keyser for the PVC Meet on Wednesday, May 4, at noon and then to Oak Hill High School for the Lions Club Meet on Friday, May 6, at 3:30 p.m.
