Johnny Hogue - Photo by Angela Trammell
This is the seventh in a series of previews on West Virginia High School boys’ and girls’ cross country for the 2013 season.
Athlete: Johnny Hogue
Year: Senior
School: Ritchie County High School (Class of 2014)
Location: Ellenboro, WV
Class: AA Boys
Pre-Season Rank: West Virginia #4 / Class AA/A #1
Coach: Holli Vaughan
Personal Bests:
800 Meter Run - 2:05.38
1,600 Meter Run - 4:29.69
3,200 Meter Run - 9:45.01
5,000 Meter Run - 16:11.30
Progression by Season:
1,600 Meter Run
2013 Outdoor- 4:29.69
2012 Outdoor- 4:39.54
2011 Outdoor- 4:46.89
3,200 Meter Run
2013 Outdoor- 9:45.01
2012 Outdoor- 9:56.62
2011 Outdoor- 10:19.26
5,000 Meter Run
2012 CC- 16:11.30
2011 CC- 16:43.93
2010 CC- 16:39.90
Athletic Honors:
2013 WV Track & Field All-State First Team – 1600M (4:30) 4th place & 3200M (9:51) 3rd place
2012 WV Cross Country All-State First Team – 5000M (16:11) 3rd place
2012 WV Track & Field All-State First Team – 1600M (4:39) 3rd place & 3200M (10:05) 5th place
2011 WV Cross Country All-State First Team – 5000M (16:57) 3rd place
2010 WV Cross Country All-State First Team – 5000M (17:02) 6th place
Johnny Hogue, a senior at Ritchie County High School, is the pre-season WV#4 and the Class AA/A boys #1 ranked runner. He had outstanding cross country and track seasons in 2012-13.
Cross Country: In October, Johnny ran a PR of 16:11.30 for third at the West Virginia State XC Championships. In November, Johnny ran a 16:49.00 at the Foot Locker South Regional to place 47th.
Outdoor Track: In April, Johnny ran a PR of 9:45.01 to win the 3,200 at the Erickson/Camden-Clark Invitational. In May, Johnny the 1,600 in a PR of 4:29.69 at the LKC (Little Kanawha Conference) Championship and ran a PR of 2:05.38 in the 800 at the WV Region I AA for fifth. Then, Johnny ran a 2:09.68 in the 800 for 13th, a 4:30.03 for fourth in the 1,600 and a 9:51.94 for third in the 3,200 at the West Virginia State Track & Field Championships.
Johnny Hogue Career Graph For 5,000 Meters
About:
Johnny Hogue started running cross country when he was in the sixth grade. When he was younger, he played both basketball and baseball. It wasn't until eighth grade that he gave up baseball to focus more on running. This year will be his first year not playing basketball and solely focusing on running. The race that Hogue is most proud of would be the Chick-Fil-A Invitational last cross country season. It was his first race of the season competing against two of the top runners in the state, Will Shaffer and Tony Hayes. They battled the whole race. Hogue was able to pull ahead the last half mile and win. “The main goal we have as a team is to focus on winning states,” says Hogue. Unfortunately, last year their team didn't qualify for the state meet, even with that said, Johnny has high expectations that they will not only make it to states, but also place well. Being a senior, Hogue has the intention of finishing his high school career with a bang. His personal goal for cross country is to win the state title. Hogue has been striving every year to be on the top of that podium at states, and this year will be his best opportunity to do so. After the season is over, he plans on attending the Nike Cross Country Regional race. Over the summer a few of the top runners in the state and Johnny have discussed about putting a team together. Hogue plans on running in college. When asked whom the most influential person in his life was, Hogue answered with, “My mother. She is not only my mom, but also takes part in helping with coaching the team. She has supported me ever since I started running, and I wouldn't be where I am today without her commitment to making me a better runner."
Hogue’s 2013 Cross Country Schedule:
Aug 24th - Knight Night XC Relays at Preston, WV
Aug 31st – Geico Classic Invitational at Cabell Midland HS at Ona, WV
Sept 3rd – Stormin the Castle at Tyler County HS, WV
Sept 7th – Chic-Fil-A Invitational at Mineral Wells, WV
Sept 14th – Magnolia Mudhole Invitational at Magnolia, WV
Sept 17th – Doddridge Invite at Doddridge County Park, WV
Sept 21st – Bearcat Invitational at Grafton, WV
Sept 28th – Big Ditch Lake Invitational at Cowen, WV
Oct 5th – Ritchie County Invitational at Harrisville, WV
Oct 17th - Little Kanawha Conference XC Meet at St Marys, WV
Oct 24th – AA/A Region I Cross Country Championship at Mineral Wells, WV
Nov 2nd – West Virginia State Cross Country Championships at Ona, WV
Nov 30th – Foot Locker South Regional Championship at Charlotte, NC
Final Thought:
Johnny Hogue placed sixth his freshman year and third the next two years. Hogue has made All-State First Team in cross country and track a combined total of seven times. This could be his year to reach the top of the podium. Though the opportunity is there, two runners look to keep him from winning the individual title - Brettley Harris of Webster County, who only finished eleven seconds back of Hogue, and Abe Merinar of Bridgeport, who finished eight seconds back of Harris.
Johnny Hogue and Abe Merinar both attended the Smoky Mountain Running Camp in Asheville, NC. They both were placed in the same training group.
The Class AA/A boys is shaping up to be a three-way battle for the individual title.
Will Hogue and Merinar who attended the same running camp be effected by similar race strategies? Could some other runner have a breakout race that shocks the crowd?
Johnny Hogue - Photo by Angela Trammell
