Williamstown's Kindra Johnson competed in the discus at the Russ Parsons Invitational held at Parkersburg High School's Stadium Field earlier this season. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)
WILLIAMSTOWN — One for the thumb. That rally cry, made famous by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early 1980s, is what the Williamstown girls track and field program is trying to achieve this week at the West Virginia High School State Track and Field Championships in Charleston.
This year, the Yellow Jackets won by 53 points or more each time, and there was a quality of drama that was missing in the previous four games. Dodoridge County, which has been a bridesmaid in the past three state tournaments, believes it will all have a say when the two-day event concludes Saturday at Laidley Field.
“Coaches on our staff started thinking about relays. There are some relays where a tenth of a second could mean a school could finish first or drop to sixth.” Williamstown coach Zach Hall said. “It's all about handoffs. Some events can go either way. Every point helps.”
Of the four relays Williamstown qualified for regionals, three are expected to take first place. For DCHS, he will compete in all five relays and is set to win the 4×200.
On the track, Williamstown sprinter Shelby Smith (100, 200, 400) and distance runner Alyssa Sauro (800, 1600, 3200) are favorites to win the individual events. In the field events, Kindra Johnson and Regan Corbett headline the throwing, but DCHS has girls who can contribute to scoring with the shot and discus.
“It's a lot of work during the season, so I try not to stress myself out too much.” Hall said. “I’m a kid at heart, so that helps me fool around.
“Regionals was all about surviving and moving forward. I've been watching all of these girls since they were in middle school. They expect good results and are definitely putting in the time. Now On the weekends, they're not going there for social time. They're going there for work.”
Other scorers for the Yellow Jackets include Audrey Lefebure (100 points), Kathy Seitz (1600, 3200), Alexis Wynn (3200), Grace Boone (pole vault) and Izzy Seid (pole vault). , and Kate Bourdain (pole vault).
A number of DCHS athletes are also participating, along with Peyton Curry (100, 200). Peyton Trent (200, 400), Destiny Berryman (800, 1600), Katie Cottrill (3200). Jaycee Lipscomb (300 hurdles). Anna Trent (pole vault). Akaiyah Williams (shot, disc). Brooke Burnside (shot, disc); and Jenna Underwood (disc).
Track and field athletes chase Magnolia's Jenna Blaine in the 100 and 300 hurdles, while Ritchie County's Sydney Kopshina has a firm grip on the pole vault. Tyler Consolidated is popular among shuttles.
The state tournament begins Friday at 2 p.m.
“When I first started in 2011, I had no idea what I was getting into.” Hall said. “You can't walk away from coaching girls now. They're just incredible, working hard and having fun. They know when to get serious and when to goof around a little bit.”
Contact Kelly Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com
