For the Morgantown track and field team, the Morgantown Invitational on Saturday marked senior night, the program’s first home meet in 12 years and the first high school event at the Mylan Park Track and Field Facility, which MHS and University call home. Hosting the meet was reason enough to celebrate, but when the dust settled following the last event, both the Mohigans boys’ and girls’ teams closed with wins.
“I think the biggest thing heading into this week that we’d have a whole two weeks off, but with us hosting a meet there wasn’t a whole lot of coaching going on. It’s a different kind of experience, but when you can host and win a meet, it just shows how disciplined these kids really are,” Morgantown coach Steve Blinco said. “The kids were talking about how cool it was to just wake up, roll out of bed, and head to the track. We’ve never been able to do that before, and now that we have the home field advantage — to have a home meet, it was a different experience, and I think everyone really relished that today.”
The weather proved excellent as a large crowd turned out to Mylan Park to celebrate the historic event, by which all accounts, went off without a hitch.
“I think everything went smoothly, and Morgantown did a great job for their first time hosting a meet,” University coach Jason White said.
Blinco mentioned the efforts required to host an 18-team event and was grateful for the effort put in by all parties involved. Without the supporting cast, he assures, the meet never would have been possible.
“We had lots of parents volunteer, and we also had volunteers from WVU, and we’re thankful to have that partnership. Our officials, our coaching staff — everyone was jumping in to help out all over the place, which is kind of how a West Virginia high school track meet has to work,” he said.
“It just really is something that’s a testament to the friendships we’ve built with coaches, the relationships we’ve built with other schools, and the willingness to support one another. We have a great footprint with people willing to support us.”
Turakhonov honors family with win
Morgantown produced three individual first-place finishes and five relay first-place finishes across both squads during the triumphant day, but perhaps none were sweet as Morgantown hurdler Azim Turakhonov, who earned first in the 300 meter hurdles.
Turakhonov moved to the United States five years ago from Tajikistan,but left an important role model behind — his grandmother. Recently, she has fallen ill with kidney issues; for Turakhonov, he decided there was no better way to honor her than with a huge performance on one of the biggest days in program history.”
“She is very far away, and there is not much our family can do about it. She raised me pretty much, and she’s very supportive. She’s always wanted me to have the best life I can,” he said.
“I was very sad about it, but I remembered having this meet and I decided that I wanted to get a win at the first home meet for her. I want to dedicate the win to her and my mom – when my mom was little, she decided she’d do anything in her power to let me pursue something that makes me happy. She’s the reason why I’m here today.”
University wins first race on new surface
The Hawks claimed the first-ever high school win on the running surface at the track as they claimed the girls’ 4×800 meter relay to open the day. It’s a victory that will long be remembered inside of the program.
“It was cool to get that opportunity, and all our girls were excited,” White said.
The Hawks’ girls finished sixth as a team, while the boys’ finished ninth. The two teams combined to claim two individual and one relay victory, with freshman Sierra Lanham setting a new school record and qualifying for New Balance Nationals in long jump.
