The Clay County High School Cross Country team traveled to Little Beaver State Park on Oct. 24 to compete in the WV Region III Class AA Championship. This meet determined who qualified to compete at the WV State XC Meet. 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.
The boys’ team, made up of Sawyer Dobbins, Kane Nida, Kaden Fitzwater, Trent Hinkle, and Andrew Tanner, placed third with a score of 89 points, punching the team’s ticket to the State Championship for the first time in school history. Dobbins earned a medal and First Team All-Region Honors with his fifth place finish. Nida finished twelfth, earning Second Team All-Region Honors. Kaden Fitzwater placed fourteenth, earned Second Team All-Region Honors, and was named Performer of the Meet.
For the girls’ team, Cheyanne Taylor and Abigail Grandon placed eleventh and twelfth, respectively. They earned two of the five coveted spots for individuals to advance exclusive of being on a qualifying team.
The WV State XC Championship was held on Nov. 2 at Cabell Midland High School. Taylor and Grandon put forth a strong effort, especially for their first time competing in this event. The boys’ team finished eleventh overall in Class AA. Congratulations to coaches Ron Starcher, Matt Stricker, and each of these hard-working athletes on a very impressive, memorable season!
