Jefferson’s Graf and Colbert Shatter Poor House Farm Course Records
Cold and wet was order of the day - Rollie Jacobs Photo
October 10, 2012 - The Jefferson boys and Musselman girls posted convincing wins on Wednesday under breezy and rapidly cooling conditions in Martinsburg, WV to win their respective league titles. Running on what may be one of the toughest courses in the state featuring two significant water crossings and steep, rocky hills, Jefferson’s Ryan Graf and Abby Colbert each shattered the existing record on the newly reconfigured Poor House Farm course by approximately a minute each.
Potomac Valley Conference Boys' Champions - Jefferson - Rollie Jacobs Photo
Overcoming the rugged course as they prep for regionals and the State meet, the Jefferson boys posted one of their best performances of the year. Led by Graf’s winning 16:51 time, the Cougars placed six runners in the top ten to score 19 points in a dominant performance.
Jefferson's Ryan Graf charges through the stream en route to victory - Rollie Jacobs Photo
Jefferson’s Andrew Milliron continued his outstanding performance this year by placing second in 17:01. Musselman’s Shane Rigsby sped to the finish line in 17:51 on his home course to ruin any chance of a Jefferson sweep. Jefferson’s Jackson Jacobs followed Rigsby to the line with a fine 18:08 for fourth followed closely by teammate Zach Wiberg who nipped Hedgesville’s Matt Taylor at the line as each Musselman’s finished in 18:12. Jefferson’s Rhett Zillinger closed out his team scoring for the day by finishing in seventh in 18:23. Also earning All-Conference honors were Musselman’s Austin Jenner (8th, 18:38), and Jefferson’s Jimmy Ross (9th, 18:55). Mike Higginbotham (10th, 19:01) sprinted past Martinsburg’s Vlad Bauer (19:01) in the last 100 meters to seize the last All-Conference spot.
In the team competition, Jefferson’s six in the top ten performance resulted in a first place score of 19 points, well ahead of second place Musselman’s 65 points. Rounding out the results were Hedgesville (81 points) and Martinsburg (92 points). Washington was led by Joe McCormick’s 19:27 time and finished fifth.
Potomac Valley Conference Girls' Champions - Musselman - Rollie Jacobs Photo
In the girl’s competition, Musselman’s depth carried the day but the talk of the race was Jefferson freshman Abby Colbert and her continued outstanding performance. Holding off a significant early challenge from Hedgesville’s Fallin Stone, Colbert sprinted away on the hills to post a convincing 48 second victory in 21:02. Stone powered home in second in 21:50. It was at this point that Musselman’s strength and depth began to have an impact as the Musselman trio of Heather Jenkins (22:18), Antonia Dunnigan (22:19) and Kayla Hoffmaster (22:24) took home third through fifth place respectively. Hedgesville’s Brittany Pollard broke up the Musselman parade and raced home in 22:30 to seize 6th followed closely by another Musselman harrier, Maddy Trucks (7th, 22:38). Rounding out the top ten and also earning All-Conference with their strong performances were Hedgesville Courtney Layhew (8th, 22:40), Jefferson’s Anya Wallace (9th, 22:44) and Destiny Harrison (10th, 23:01). Martinsburg’s Zoe Jenkins (13th, 23:50) led her team.
Jefferson's Abby Colbert races ahead of Hedgesvillle's Fallin Stone - Rollie Jacobs Photo
Musselman, with their four All-Conference performers, led the way in the Girls’ team competition winning over improving second place Jefferson by a score of 28 to 41. Washington took third on the day with 70 points followed by Martinsburg (80 points). Hedgesville fielded an incomplete team and did not figure in the team competition.
As the season heads into regional completion, these teams will all meet again next Thursday at the Region II AAA Championships at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV. Competition should be strong, especially in the girls’ race as highly regarded Hampshire joins the mix. Everyone is welcome to come and watch what should be an exciting day in Elkins!