File Photo: Dayton McVicker at 2010 New Balance Outdoor Nationals
This year’s Chick-Fil-A Invitational, held on the home course of Williamstown High School saw great competition and quick times! This invitational, which is one of the largest invitationals in the state with over 400 runners finishing this year, produced 5 Milesplit Elite performances.
The AAA races produced some great racing both on the individual side, as well as the team side. Junior Alyssa Scherich of Fairmont Senior, one of the state’s top sprinters in track, came away with a demanding victory in a cross country personal record time of 19:37 for the 5k course. Emma Harrison, a sophomore from North Marion came away with the runner up honors in a time of 20:32. Harrison is just coming off a great freshman year where she placed an outstanding 5th at the West Virginia AAA State Track and Field Championships. Just behind Harrison was Bridgeport High School junior Erika Voreh in 20:40. On the team standings, Parkersburg High School was victorious placing 5 runners in the top 11 scoring positions. Lead by freshman Rachel Morris, this very young team is looking to make a strong showing at the State Championships. Second place was East Fairmont with 75 points.
On the boys side, winning and running the 5th fastest time in the state this season, was the stellar senior from Fairmont Senior, Dayton McVicker. McVicker’s time of 16:14, was no personal record, but shows significant improvement from last week’s race. Second place in the race was junior Joe Kirtner of Winfield High School, finishing in a cross country personal record of 16:52. Kirtner, a 6th place finisher in the 1600 meters at the state track and field championships, looks to have a fast showing at this year’s cross country championships. Rounding out the top 3 was Parkersburg High School senior Josh Harmon in 17:19. Harmon lead the way for Parkersburg High School as they took 1st in the team scoring with 26 points. Fairmont Senior was 2nd with 80 points.
The AA/A races were equally exciting. The girls race was a race of state champions. Sara McCauley, a senior from Philip Barbour out paced Charleston Catholic sophomore Sami Harris by just 9 seconds, coming away with the “W” in a smoking time of 18:53. McCauley is a 3200 meter, and 1600 meter state champion from last year’s West Virginia AA State Track and Field Championships. Harris is also a 3200 meter state champion, but in single A. Her time of 19:02 is the 3rd fastest time this year by any girl in West Virginia. Placing 3rd was yet another state champion, Maggie Drazba of St. Marys High School with a time of 19:40. Drazba was 1st in both the 1600 meter and 800 meter races of last May’s West Virginia A State Track and Field Championships. Philip Barbour produced the individual champion as well as the team champion scoring 49 points. Second place was St. Marys High School with 70 points.
Drew Woodford, a senior from Grafton High School lead the boys AA/A race running a cross country personal best time of 16:47. Woodford looks to have a strong senior season. In 2nd was the sizzling sophomore from Scott High School, Wil Shaffer. Shaffer’s time of 16:48 is a 10 second improvement from last week’s race. Junior Wes Anderson of Philip Barbour was 3rd in a cross country personal best of 17:06. St. Marys placed 1st in the team standings with 70 points, while Grafton was 2nd with 88 points.
Results: https://wv.milesplit.com/meets/76628/results/129973