The WV State High School Cross Country championships
are set for this Saturday (10/27) in Elkins, WV and the only thing that is certain
is that 4 new champions will be crowned in the AAA Girls and Boys and AA-A Boys
and Girls divisions. The previous champions from last season have all graduated,
so there will be some new faces on the victory podium. The always intimidating
Elkins course will be made extra challenging by a forecast calling for temperatures
in the mid 30's and snow showers. The temps may actually be in the 20's at race
time. A quick look at the favorites in this year's championships. AAA
Girls
Parkersburg High School returns everyone from last years championship team,
but it may not be enough to hold off Morgantown. The Big Red girls have had some
injury problems and were beaten soundly by the Mohigans 39-64 at the Region I
meet last week. The Elkins girls have run solid all year and may take a run at
the championship on their home course. Leah Erinrich of Morgantown looks to be
the individual champ but will be pressed by both Ashley Varian and Erica Thompson(a
ninth grader) of Elkins. AAA Boys
The individual race should be a classic. Keith Rand of Morgantown (runner-up
in 2000) returns after a serious stress fracture last track season, but the favorite
appears to be Tyler DeVault of East Fairmont, who has run consistently well all
season. Ben Lukowski of St Albans (9:22 3200-2001) won the Region 3 title last
week and both Chris Walsh of George Washington and Ryan Smith of Brooke County
should also be in the mix. Cabell Midland, the defending team champs, have reloaded
and should not be pressed. Preston County should be a solid runner up. AA-A
Girls
Sherri Flohr of Grafton has totally dominated the AA-A girls division and
should have no problem chalking up her first individual title as well as leading
the Bearcat girls to the team title over Charleston Catholic. AA-A
Boys
The individual race should be very competitive with the top 2 runners being
Justin Simpson of Oak Glen and Josh Sheets of Doddridge County. Scott Gemberling
of Grafton could also turn some heads in this race. Ravenswood should have no
problem winning the boys division. The Red Devils have won convincingly all year
and even topped defending AAA champ Cabell Midland early in the season. Return
to DyeStat West Virginia | 
