West Virginia State Cross Country Championships 2010 Woodford Defending Champion and McCauley Sweeps the Field With First Title

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Woodford Defending Champion and McCauley Sweeps the Field With First Title

Finish Line Photos Video Awards Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

By Nicole Lemal
Tristaterunnur.com

On a brisk Saturday morning, the A-AA boys and girls were the first to step on the line at the West Virginia State Cross Country Meet at Cabell Midland.

For some the cold may have put a damper on their mindset but not for runners like Grafton senior Drew Woodford.

“I like this cold weather. It if snows, I’ll be just fine,” he said with a smile.

Nothing could affect Woodford and his excitement to step on the line. This energy paid off for him. He was the first runner to cross the finish line that day. A defending state champion from last season, the senior ran well over 40 seconds faster this year with a 16:23.

“I just knew I had to get out front,” he said. “I was trying to wear out those other top runners on top of the hill there and just finish as strong as I could. So I think I did pretty well with my strategy today.”

Ever since his freshman year, the solid distance runner has been constantly improving. As a freshman he placed 30th and ran his way to a seventh place all-state position a year later.

“I wanted to go out with a bang,” he said. “I was truly blessed today. I thank the Lord for that.”

Runner up Andrew Shaffer, a junior from Richwood, followed behind him in 16:40. Like Woodford, he has made huge strides in his cross country career. Last season he placed 21st at the state meet.

“I worked hard,” Shaffer said of his training since last season. “I just worked real harder than last year, and it paid off.”

In the beginning Woodford had some competition surrounding him with Shaffer and Scott sophomore Will Shaffer. Yet he remained unfazed and picked up the lead by four seconds at the mile. At the two mile mark he put an additional five seconds out front of the field. Top three finishers had all maintained their claimed positions from the start. Scott’s Shaffer crossed the line in 16:50 for third place.

Woodford’s leadership and optimism propelled Grafton to another consecutive team title with 102 points over Phillip Barbour (120).

“It’s great,” he said. “I was hoping to lead our team because our team won last year as well. We’re truly blessed to do it again this year. So I’m loving that.”

All-state finishers include Magnolia’s Alec Hinerman, Magnolia’s Bill Feeney, Ritchie’s Johnny Hogue, Westside’s Cameron Davis, Sherman’s Brandon Harless, Oak Hill’s Scotty Treadway and Phillip Barbour’s Wes Anderson. Less than a minute separated the top 10 runners.

Saturday’s fastest time in both AAA and A-AA girls’ races ended up coming from this division. Phillip Barbour’s Sarah McCauley ran with a huge smile on her face, as she entered the stadium to end her high school cross country career on a remarkable note. The senior ran an impressive 18:32, which happens to be the third fastest time ever ran on the course. For her this was a huge moment in her running career.

“Last year I finished third as well, falling down the last hill with 800 meters left to go,” she said of the 2009 state meet. “It was a pretty big disappointment, but it built character. I knew that God was still going to take care of me and come back this year with determination.”

Even though she had recurring memories from last year, she remained positive. Her faith showed that anything is possible.

“I was praying. I knew that I had to overcome the hill in order to win because falling down the hill last year…it just scared me. With every hill, I’m always cautious.”

Behind McCauley was Charleston Catholic’s Sami Harris. Around the two mile mark, McCauley kicked it up a notch and started to pull away from Harris. Both girls had been running closely together up until that point.

“I just focused on trying to keep my stride going,” Harris said. “I didn’t have a whole lot left in me, but I just tried to finish as fast as I can.”

Last season the freshman placed fifth at the state meet. Coming back this season to finish as the runner up in the state meant a lot to her.

“I was hoping to be in there with the top three, and so I am really happy with that. I knew anything could happen.”

This kind of mindset is one that a newer team has used as their motto all season. For the Weir High girls’ team, a fourth place finish at the state meet was indescribable. It has never been done in the entire history of the program.

“Along with my assistant coach Tom Apesos, it’s been an honor,” Weir Coach Jeffrey Lewis said. “We had a third place finish at the Region, so to come down here and finish fourth in the state, and only lose to third by one point, a tie breaker, I am ecstatic. I am really ecstatic right now.”

Last season the team had only one girl on the squad. It just so happens the most consistent leader of this group is in her first cross country season ever. Sophomore Alexis Virtue managed to place sixth against a field with extensive experience. Meanwhile her background in karate has created her into a powerhouse.

“To make it here and have that endurance and just do that for everything else… that really helps a lot,” Virtue said. “I really appreciate my karate instructor for teaching me all he has.”

All-state finishers behind McCauley and Harris include St. Mary’s Maggie Drazba, Frankfort’s Katie Jan, Phillip Barbour’s Brianna Waybright, Weir’s Alexis Virtue, Herbert Hoover’s Erica Walker, PikeView’s Chelsea East, Doddridge’s Bethany Carroll and Shady Spring’s Sarah Phillips. Having three girls in the top 10, Phillip Barbour (62) took the team title easily. Two points separated the second through fourth place teams. Shady Springs succeeded in taking the runner up spot.

Congratulations to everyone who competed at the state meet. It has been a real pleasure covering all of you this season.

Results A-AA Boys A-AA Girls AAA Boys AAA Girls