Competing at the Nike Outdoor Nationals is an honor for any track and field athlete. West Virginia was represented by four outstanding athletes with national credentials. Even though the athletes may be disappointed in their performances, we are all proud of them for their contributions to track and field and know this experience will make them better competitors and individuals.
Sophomore Kendall McCaugherty, 2006 AAA State Champion in the high jump, of Bridgeport Senior High School had the highest placing finish of the West Virginia athletes. McCaugherty placed 12th in the high jump on with a jump of 5' 05". In winning the AAA State Meet, McCaugherty jumped a personal best of 5' 08", and this would have been good enough for 4th place at this prestigious meet. The winning jump was 5' 10.75" by Tressa Beckel of Waseca high school in Austin, Minnesota as she set the new Minnesota State record.
Amber Riley a junior from Preston High School and the runner-up at the 2006 AAA outdoor meet in the 1600m competed in the 2000m steeplechase and placed 14th with a time of 7:44.80. Marie Lawrence a junior from Reno High School in Reno, Nevada set a new national record with a time of 6:35.63.
Representing West Virginia and competing in the girls 2 mile run were two of the state's best all-time distance runners. Senior Maria Dalzot of Morgantown High School and junior Kaylyn Christopher of Preston High School finished 31st and 34th respectively. Even though neither girl ran the race she had hoped, their running records speak for themselves. Dalzot finished in 11:20.15 and Christopher completed the 2 miles in 11:29.36. Christopher, the 2006 AAA State champion in the 1600m and 3200m (10:55.52), will have another shot at earning All-American status. Next season, Dalzot will be competing for West Virginia University. Winning the 2 mile run was Bria Wetsch of Holy Family Catholic School with a blistering time of 10:10.50 and only 9 seconds off of the national record.