MORGANTOWN — The 2024 track and field season is off to a hot start despite some cold weather in the recent weeks with two meets being held over the last seven days involving Mon County teams.
Clay-Battelle hosted the Mon County Challenge on Tuesday, inviting every school within the county to Blacksville for a season-opening meet.
Morgantown and University made the trip to run with the Cee-Bees with each school taking some notable finishes to begin the year.
C-B senior Zac Hall, who recently competed nationally as a sprinter, took first overall in the 100M dash with a time of 11.12. He also earned first place in the 200M dash with a 22.72 ahead of Josh Jorge from UHS with a 24.24.
Jorge managed first in the 400M sprint with a time of 53.64.
UHS senior and Syracuse signee, Drew Zundell, took the top spot in the 800M race at 1:56.47 and is aiming to return to Charleston for the state meet.
On Friday, the annual Connect-Bridgeport Invitational was held with many teams gathering for a competitive evening of races and field events. Morgantown made the trip on Friday and had notable results with both the boys and girls taking the top spot in the overall team standings.
The MHS girls finished with 166 points, ahead of runner-up Bridgeport with 124.25.
The MHS boys earned 193.5 points for first place.
Girls’ winners on Friday were Morgantown’s 4×800 team of Madeline Gump, Allison Hawkins, Lauren Hawkins and Jennifer O’Palko with a time of 9:53.90. Gump individually won the 1,600 at 5:13.62.
Morgantown’s Maraid Johnson won the 3,200 with a time of 11:50.48. Morgantown’s Emma Smith won the high jump clearing 5-00.
The boys’ winners were Morgantown’s 4×800 team of Joaquin Summers, Evan Stacy, Zachary Workman and Andrew Carlton with a time of 8:15.40.
Morgantown’s Hayden Casdorph won the 110 hurdles at 15.82. Morgantown’s Cooper Boone won the 100 with a time of 11.50.
Morgantown’s 4×200 team of Isaiah Thompson, Owen Williams, Keonn Arnold and Boone won with a time of 1:35.05. Arnold individually won the 400 with a time of 53.66.
Morgantown’s Thompson, Williams, Alexander Gilcrest and Boone won the 4×100 with a time of 44.99.
Morgantown’s Finlay Lorimer won the 3,200 with a time of 10:02.35.
Morgantown’s shuttles team of Jacob Meyer, Seth Wisman, Reed Dolan and Casdorph won with a time of 1:02.33.
Morgantown’s 4×400 team of Corey Mangrum, Summers, Workman and Arnold won with a time of 3:34.79.
Morgantown’s Wiseman won the discus with a throw of 139-05.
BOYS LACROSSE
Morgantown 14, Martinsburg 3
Morgantown 11, Hedgesville 4
MARTINSBURG — The Morgantown high boys’ lacrosse team won a pair of matches in the Eastern Panhandle on Saturday, 14-3 over Martinsburg and 11-4 against Hedgesville.
Against Martinsburg, Luke Quigley led the Mohigans (5-0) with four goals. Nate Kupec scored twice while dishing out four assists. Dylan Shinkovich made seven saves in goal.
Against Hedgesville, Quigley scored twice and had two assists. In goal, freshman Nash Coffman made five saves
Morgantown will host Preston at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
BASEBALL
Trinity Christian 7, Paden City 2
MORGANTOWN — Senior Will McPherson pitched a gem as Trinity Christian topped visiting Paden City 7-2 on Dave Miller Field Saturday afternoon.
McPherson struck out 11 over six innings while allowing one run on just two hits. Brock Shuba, Baret Shuba, Ryan Parker and Sam Fulk all had a hit and an RBI for the Warriors.
Morgantown 8, Buckhannon-Upshur 5
Spring Valley 4, Morgantown 3, 9 innings
(Friday)
BUCKHANNON — Morgantown baseball split a pair of games at Buckhannon on Friday, defeating Buckhannon-Upshur 8-5 before falling to Spring Vllaye 4-3.
Against the Buccaneers, Tommy Montague and Eli Boggs both had two hits and two RBI for the Mohigans. Nate Wolfe had two hits, including a solo home run. Maddox Bowers and Weston Maxey also had two hits.
Hunter Dakan started and threw six solid innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out nine.
Against the Timberwolves, the teams were tied 2-2 after seven innings. SV scored twice in the top of the ninth and MHS scored just once in the bottom of the frame.
Caleb Nutter had two hits, a ninth-inning home run and two RBI. Montague also had two hits, a double and an RBI.
Vincent Aloi started and allowed two runs in 5.2 innings.
MHS travels to Linsly on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
