Tri State
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Mountaintop Combo
By Kevin Spradlin
Tristaterunnur.com
KINGWOOD, W.Va. The success of Saturdayıs Mountaintop Combo cross country meet depends on Preston Coach Paul Martin and a host of volunteers providing unprecedented runner support during a competitorıs stay.
But once the starterıs pistol is fired, the glitz and glamour will be tuned out. The focus on the boys race will be on a field which includes eight of the top 10-ranked runners in Class AAA West Virginia as well as a handful of Virginia and Ohio runners we donıt know well enough to rank.
Itıs at the starting line where are runners are created equal two legs, two arms and a heart full of ambition to see things through over a challenging 5,000-meter course. At the sound of the gun, though, the field will separate quickly enough if not by the smarts of the runners themselves, then by the will of the course.
The early part of the Preston course is flat but our course is hilly, Martin said. Itıs definitely a tough course. We may have some kids in the top pack that may not necessarily belong there.
Martin called the a hilly, wooded trail known as Hillacious - parallel to Vocational School Road as the great equalizer.
Itıs definitely not the same runner that entered (the hills), Martin said. It kind of makes a man or woman out of you real quick.
After Hillacious, runners get a short reprieve shortly after the 1-mile point. But it doesnıt last long Slaughterhouse Hill is next and, before the 3-mile marker, runners will head up the same Hayward Hills section they ran down in the early stages of the race.
The course is 12 feet wide throughout, except for Hillacious. Martin said most areas have plenty of (room) to pass at all times.
Despite the hilly difficulties, that room likely will be used with the field assembled. North Marion senior Zach Tennant, undefeated this season, goes into the race as the top harrier. But itıs going to be close, as Jefferson senior Cory Hampshire rated second on runWV.com is second; Hampshireıs John Binotto is fourth and Fairmont Seniorıs David Ciarolla is fifth.
Fact is, though, the top four runners in the field could run each other out, leaving room open for someone to unexpected take the individual title. That could leave a spot for 6th-ranked Kyle Gramlich, of Wheeling Park, No. 7 Caleb Ellis of St. Albans or No. 9 Cody Pelliccioni of Morgantown.
Jefferson sophomore Brandon Doughty, ranked 11th, has been running well during the early part of this season and could earn his way to a top 5 finish. Martin believes in his own senior, Craig Pritt, ranked No. 12.
Martin explained that the Mountaintop Combo comes from the hunt for the best programs not just a solid boys or girls team, but both. The combo is the combination of each schoolıs team scores from the boysı and girlsı races.
Iım interested to see what we can do at the Combo, e-mailed Jefferson Coach Scott Biola. It will be one of our main tests against some of the best competition West Virginia has to offer.
Biola has indicated more than once he feels his girls team has been under-estimated. This will be their toughest challenge yet, as all of the top teams and nearly all of the best individuals will be present.
Individually in the girls' field, top-ranked sophomore Letitia Propst, of Elkins, isn't in the field. That leaves the race for first clear for Preston's own, senior Ari Kasprowicz. Or does it?
True, Kasprowicz dominated recently on a difficult Clear Spring course. And Martin insists she's "in phenominal shape." But No. 3 Allison Pettit (Morgantown) and No. 4 Courtney Yeager (Wheeling Park) both are expected to push Kasprowicz for individual honors.
Hurricane has two junior runners - No. 6 Alex Dent and No. 7 Josie Crouch - who also could vye for a top-three finish. Runners expected to challenge for the top seven of the meet include University's Sarah Martinelli (8th) and Lydia Martinelli (10th) as well as Hampshire's Rene Conneway (11th) and freshman teammate Danielle Lewis (12th).
Martin said the terrain isn't smooth for a Kasprowicz win - the field is "jam-packed"
"This year, there's five or six or maybe more that are in contention to win it," Martin said. "It's going to be phenomenal."
So while meet officials focus on the little things to make runners happy and comfortable - a free meal the night before, music during the race and providing each team with a guide to tour the course - it's a race for 15 to 18 minutes.
And does it matter who wins? Of course - but only for so long.
"It will be a great measuring stick," Biola said for his Jefferson teams - but could have been speaking for everyone. "but on the other hand, it's not a be-all, end-all meet. A lot can happen between Sept. 20 and Nov. 1."
By Kevin Spradlin
Tristaterunnur.com
KINGWOOD, W.Va. The success of Saturdayıs Mountaintop Combo cross country meet depends on Preston Coach Paul Martin and a host of volunteers providing unprecedented runner support during a competitorıs stay.
But once the starterıs pistol is fired, the glitz and glamour will be tuned out. The focus on the boys race will be on a field which includes eight of the top 10-ranked runners in Class AAA West Virginia as well as a handful of Virginia and Ohio runners we donıt know well enough to rank.
Itıs at the starting line where are runners are created equal two legs, two arms and a heart full of ambition to see things through over a challenging 5,000-meter course. At the sound of the gun, though, the field will separate quickly enough if not by the smarts of the runners themselves, then by the will of the course.
The early part of the Preston course is flat but our course is hilly, Martin said. Itıs definitely a tough course. We may have some kids in the top pack that may not necessarily belong there.
Martin called the a hilly, wooded trail known as Hillacious - parallel to Vocational School Road as the great equalizer.
Itıs definitely not the same runner that entered (the hills), Martin said. It kind of makes a man or woman out of you real quick.
After Hillacious, runners get a short reprieve shortly after the 1-mile point. But it doesnıt last long Slaughterhouse Hill is next and, before the 3-mile marker, runners will head up the same Hayward Hills section they ran down in the early stages of the race.
The course is 12 feet wide throughout, except for Hillacious. Martin said most areas have plenty of (room) to pass at all times.
Despite the hilly difficulties, that room likely will be used with the field assembled. North Marion senior Zach Tennant, undefeated this season, goes into the race as the top harrier. But itıs going to be close, as Jefferson senior Cory Hampshire rated second on runWV.com is second; Hampshireıs John Binotto is fourth and Fairmont Seniorıs David Ciarolla is fifth.
Fact is, though, the top four runners in the field could run each other out, leaving room open for someone to unexpected take the individual title. That could leave a spot for 6th-ranked Kyle Gramlich, of Wheeling Park, No. 7 Caleb Ellis of St. Albans or No. 9 Cody Pelliccioni of Morgantown.
Jefferson sophomore Brandon Doughty, ranked 11th, has been running well during the early part of this season and could earn his way to a top 5 finish. Martin believes in his own senior, Craig Pritt, ranked No. 12.
Martin explained that the Mountaintop Combo comes from the hunt for the best programs not just a solid boys or girls team, but both. The combo is the combination of each schoolıs team scores from the boysı and girlsı races.
Iım interested to see what we can do at the Combo, e-mailed Jefferson Coach Scott Biola. It will be one of our main tests against some of the best competition West Virginia has to offer.
Biola has indicated more than once he feels his girls team has been under-estimated. This will be their toughest challenge yet, as all of the top teams and nearly all of the best individuals will be present.
Individually in the girls' field, top-ranked sophomore Letitia Propst, of Elkins, isn't in the field. That leaves the race for first clear for Preston's own, senior Ari Kasprowicz. Or does it?
True, Kasprowicz dominated recently on a difficult Clear Spring course. And Martin insists she's "in phenominal shape." But No. 3 Allison Pettit (Morgantown) and No. 4 Courtney Yeager (Wheeling Park) both are expected to push Kasprowicz for individual honors.
Hurricane has two junior runners - No. 6 Alex Dent and No. 7 Josie Crouch - who also could vye for a top-three finish. Runners expected to challenge for the top seven of the meet include University's Sarah Martinelli (8th) and Lydia Martinelli (10th) as well as Hampshire's Rene Conneway (11th) and freshman teammate Danielle Lewis (12th).
Martin said the terrain isn't smooth for a Kasprowicz win - the field is "jam-packed"
"This year, there's five or six or maybe more that are in contention to win it," Martin said. "It's going to be phenomenal."
So while meet officials focus on the little things to make runners happy and comfortable - a free meal the night before, music during the race and providing each team with a guide to tour the course - it's a race for 15 to 18 minutes.
And does it matter who wins? Of course - but only for so long.
"It will be a great measuring stick," Biola said for his Jefferson teams - but could have been speaking for everyone. "but on the other hand, it's not a be-all, end-all meet. A lot can happen between Sept. 20 and Nov. 1."
