Gemberling wins impressively
Athens, WV – Back in August before any cross country meets had been run, the WVIAC coaches voted for their choice to win the WVIAC. According to the coaches, the Battlers of Alderson-Broaddus were unanimous picks to win the 2005 XC Championships. The Battlers didn't disappoint as they dominated a very strong D2 conference with six harriers in the top 10. Alderson-Broaddus would take the trophy back to Philippi after posting a low score of 22 points. West Virginia Wesleyan claimed the runner-up honors with 45 points. Concord University would nip Davis and Elkins for 3rd place with 97 points to 99 points.
After a close race for 3 miles, Craig (Scott) Gemberling of Alderson-Broaddus turned on the jets and ran away from the field with a very impressive time of 26:32 on the deceivingly long hills of Pipestem Park about 10 miles from the Concord University campus. Complimenting Gemberling for Alderson-Broaddus, was the rookie of the year, Ryan Skotniki, who took the runner-up spot in 26:58. Other Battler runners to earn all-conference were 5th place finisher, Ben Bolock (27:15), 6th place runner, Jed Perko (27:18), 8th place finisher, Steve Johnson (27:26), and 10th place runner, Andy Franklin (27:35).
The West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats easily took the runner-up spot as they placed 3 runners in the top 10, and 5 runners in the top 16. Making All-Conference for the Bobcats were 3rd place finisher Eric Cooper (27:05), 4th place runner Jason Gurney (27:07), and 9th place finisher Jarren Morlan (27:32).
The only other runner to claim an All-Conference plaque was sophomore, Alex Flores, from the University of Charleston Golden Eagles.