Edition number 98 of the West Virginia State Track and Field Meet was special.
And next year it should be even better.
That’s because an abundance of stars from the 2012 State Meet will be returning in 2013.
It all starts with Cabell Midland sensation Jacob Burcham, who won the 3200, 1600 and 800 again this year. His times are off the chart. The kid is going places in the running world.
Two of his teammates – Brian Lawhon and Mason Dino – are also outstanding distance runners and will be back in ’13.
Jefferson speedster Dante Price will be back for his final year as a Cougar. Price, a winner in the 100 and 200, will be looking to lead JHS to a fourth straight AAA team crown.
Class AA distance star Will Shaffer of Scott will be stronger for his senior season as will Buffalo’s Dylan Rich in Class A.
Class A’s high point winner, Daniel Plaugher, will be returning to help lead the Bulldogs to another possible title.
Another Class A star – Gilmer’s Anthony Aviles – will be back. The Titan cleared 6-06 at the State Meet in the high jump and has gone higher.
Emily Godwin will be looking to shine once again in 2013. The Buckhannon-Upshur standout will be a senior and looking to win both hurdle events, the long jump and high jump and be the high point producer for a third straight year in Class AAA.
Other AAA stars coming back will be distance runners Amelia Paladino and Brynn Harshbarger of Morgantown along with Hurricane’s Tori Dent.
In Class AA, Frankfort’s Bria Welker and Katie Jan, who finished one and two in the high point running, will be heading back to Charleston.
The top five point producers in Class A, D’Andra Swiger of Doddridge, Maggie Drazba of St. Marys, Andrea Chidester of Williamstown, Lincoln Postlewaite of Williamstown and Doddridge’s Sarah Ferguson will all be returning for another big meet next year.
Track and field aficionados are no doubt counting the days until next May. I certainly am.
State Meet Was Spectacular
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