Ty Steorts Lowers Meet Record In 1,600 To 4:06; Morgantown Girls, University Boys Win AAA Titles

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

After back-to-back near misses, the Morgantown girls weren’t leaving anything to chance this time. At the West Virginia State Track and Field Championships, held May 22–23 at the University of Charleston’s Laidley Field, Morgantown surged to the top, scoring 99 points to capture the Class AAA title outright.

Sophomore sensation Elecia McCurrie led the charge, sprinting to victories in the 100 meters (12.06) and 200 meters (24.80), while also helping her team to a second-place finish in the 4x400 relay. In the distance events, it was a 1-2 punch from Maraid Johnson (10:57.34) and Allison Hawkins (10:58.91) in the 3,200 that sealed the team’s commanding win.

One of the best distance runners in the country, Hurricane senior Ty Steorts, reset his own 1,600 meter state meet record winning in 4:06.34 as he held off a late charge from Aidan Kneeland of Cabell Midland (4:09.68). Kneeland won the 800 (1:52.57).

Steorts, who is committed to the University of Tennessee, also repeated as the 3,200 champion in 9:11.81 and ran on the 4x800 that finished in fourth place. 

University won the AAA boys team title with 95 points. 

In the field events, Bridgeport’s Carter Zuliani won the discus with a throw of 164-9. This year, Zuliani won team state titles in football, basketball and swimming for Bridgeport.

Class AA

Point Pleasant scored 113 points to win the Class AA boys state title. The team went 1-2-3 in the 110 hurdles led by Grant Barton’s first-place time of 14.71. Point Pleasant captured second, third and sixth place in the 300 hurdles. 

In the field, Point Pleasant’s Caden Hill won the discus (175-2) and shot put (55-5.25). 

On the track, Frankfort senior Ryan Hughes won the 800 (1:56.63), 1,600 (4:20.75), and 3,200 (9:28.33).

After winning the Class A title last season, a move to Class AA didn’t faze the Williamstown girls as they scored 90.50 points to cruise to the AA crown. The team was paced by senior Shelby Smith, who won the 200 (24.99), 400 (57.44) and was fourth in the 100. She also was the anchor for the winning 4x200 relay that clocked 1:46.27.

In the distant events, Herbert Hoover freshman Maysen Fletcher completed the impressive distance sweep with victories in the 800 (2:14.29), 1,600 (4:53.16), 3,200 (10:19.41) and was the anchor for the winning 4x800 (9:51.00). 

Class A

The Doddridge County's boys and girls swept the Class A title in dominant fashion, both exceeding 100 points. 

The Doddridge County boys managed to score in nearly every event, but shined in the pole vault, taking the top three spots. Freshman Tristan Swiger won the event clearing 13 feet. Teammates Trey McDonough (12-6) and Nathanael Lloyd (12-0) were right behind. On the track, the Bulldogs claimed the 4x100 (43.46) and 4x200 (1:30.64) relay titles. 

For the Doddridge County girls, junior Payton Trent led the team with a second-place showing in the 200 (26.61), third in the 100 (12.73) and 400 (1:00.70), third in the long jump (15-10.75) and ran on the winning 4x100 relay (51.05). Teammate junior Brooke Burnside won the shot put (33-0.75) and finished fifth in the discus. The Bulldogs also won the 4x200 (1:51.72) relay title.

In the distance events, Charleston Catholic junior Arabella Boggs won the 3,200 (11:08.41), 1,600 (5:17.50) and placed second in the 800 (2:21.95). She was also part of the 4x800 relay that won in 10:05.12. 

Team Champions

Class AAA: University boys 95 points, Morgantown girls 99 points - RESULTS

Class AA: Point Pleasant boys 113 points, Williamstown girls 90.50 points - RESULTS

Class A: Doddridge County boys 134 points, Doddridge County girls 104 points - RESULTS