The Clay County High School cross country teams are winding down a very successful season. On September 25, the boys’ team won the Lincoln County Invitational for the third consecutive year. Athletes from ten schools competed in the event. Impressively, five CCHS runners medaled.
Sawyer Dobbins led the team with a second-place finish, Kane Nida placed fourth, Trent Hinkle finished ninth, Andrew Tanner came in twelfth, and Evan Bass finished in the fifteenth spot. Isaiah Woods also put forth a strong effort. For the girls’ team, Cheyanne Taylor earned an award for her eighth-place finish, as did Abigail Grandon at thirteenth.
Three days later, the boys’ team placed third at the competitive Pikeview Invitational in Princeton. Seventy-five runners from seventeen schools ran this race. Earning hardware for CCHS were Dobbins and Nida, finishing fourth and fifteenth respectively. Contributing to the team’s success were Kaden Fitzwater, Hinkle, Tanner, and Woods. Cheyanne Taylor, in the thirteenth spot, brought home a medal for the girls.
Wrapping up the regular season schedule, the boys’ team also won the Liberty Raleigh Invitational at Lake Stephens on October 12 wherein runners from twelve teams competed. Four CCHS athletes brought home hardware – Dobbins placed third, Nida came in sixth, Fitzwater finished ninth, and Hinkle came in thirteenth. Bass and Woods also aided the team’s success. For the girls’ team, again it was Taylor and Grandon earning medals, at sixth and eleventh respectively.
Finally, on October 17, the teams competed in the AA/A LKC Championship Meet at Doddridge County Park. Seniors Sawyer Dobbins and Kane Nida earned second-team All-Conference honors. For the girls, improving their times throughout the season, Ashley Roberts and Jaylyn Holcomb each set personal records.
The teams prepared for the Region III Class AA Championship Meet at Little Beaver State Park on October 24. This meet determines who earns the opportunity to run in the WV State XC Championship on November 2. Runners may advance individually or as a team. The top three teams qualify for the State Meet, as well as the top five individuals exclusive of qualifying teams. While CCHS has had individual runners qualify for the State Meet in the past, including Dobbins who has done so for the last two years, the school has not in recent memory had an entire boys’ team qualify. Coaches Ron Starcher and Matt Stricker believe this may be the year. The team’s hard work and dedication has made it a force to be reckoned with. They have a legitimate shot at a top three finish. The ladies have also been improving times with every race. Congratulations to these teams on a highly successful season and good luck at Regionals!