CHARLESTON — The University High boys’ track and field team began the 2022 WVSSAC state meet at Laidley Field in Charleston with a bang, earning three individual state titles in the first session Thursday.
Senior Colin McBee won the discus, senior Josh Edwards earned first in the 3,200-meter race, and senior Daminn Cunningham took the top spot in the long jump. McBee and Cunningham both set new personal records for this season in their events, and each athlete secured 10 huge team points for the Hawks.
After finishing third in the standings last year, the UHS boys came into the meet determined to make a push for the school’s first state title in track and field for Class AAA. McBee said everyone on the team knew what they could be a part of.
“Going into the meet, everyone knew they had to do their job if we wanted to win it all,” the discus state champion said. “Since this would be our first state title, everyone was extra-motivated. Personally, it’s a great way to end high school.”
The titles continued during Friday’s final day, with Edwards also claiming the 1,600-meter title with a time of 4:13.30, three seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. He then won the 800 by a half second at 1:56.12.
The Hawks’ 4×800 relay team of Ryan Blohm, Drew Zundell, Rocco DeVincent and Brock Price won the title with a time of 8:00.60, 13 seconds quicker than second place.
Edwards shared high-point honors with Huntington’s Noah Waynick.
The six individual titles certainly are not to be overlooked; however, there is something to be said about the supporting roles that come into play of runners who finish in the 2-5 spots also. Sometimes even securing vital points in the team standings.
Zundell, a sophomore, found himself competing in four events this season compared to only one (800M) in 2021. He knows that gives him three more opportunities to give the Hawks an extra boost in the final tally. In his four events (3200m, 1600m, 800m, 4×800 relay), Zundell was involved in 20 points toward the Hawks’ total.
“I came into this meet with nothing to lose, really,” he said. “Last year, I only got to run the 800 and this year I am in four events, so it was a big jump to be in all four. Our team is also competing for a state title so it was important for me to come and contribute. If I didn’t have teammates like Josh or Rocco I don’t think I would be where I am today.”
Coach Eric Fronaphel praised the improvement of Zundell from his freshman year to now, both physically and mentally, and knows he has a talented runner to take the torch from Edwards and DeVincent.
DeVincent, whom Zundell mentioned, also finished strong on the track tallying 18 points for his team. The senior finished third in the 3,200-meter race and fifth in the 1,600. Without Edwards on the 4×800 relay team, DeVincent became the senior leader for his guys, willing them toward a state title in emphatic fashion.
“We knew coming in the team racer would be tight and going into the night with a big lead was important, as it looks now we are doing okay,” he said immediately after the win in the 4×800 race. “We decided not to run Josh in the relays and save him for another race, so seeing everyone do their job and come together really means a lot to our team.”
The Hawks’ boys team earned their first-ever class AAA overall state championship in school history. Morgantown finished sixth with 29 points. Final scores are below:
- University – 93
- Jefferson – 88
- Huntington – 53
- Mussleman – 51
- Buckhannon – 45
- Morgantown – 29
- Wheeling Park – 28
- Ripley – 24
- Cabell Midland – 24
- Hurricane – 23
- Park South – 17
- Bridgeport – 12
- Hedgesville – 11
- George Washington – 10
- Riverside – 10
- Martinsburg – 10
- South Charleston – 6
- Spring Mills – 6
- Parkersburg – 5
- Greenbrier East – 4
- Capital – 4
- Spring Valley – 2
- St. Albans – 2
- John Marshall – 1
