MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Asheville, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, has similar geographic features to Morgantown with a sense of Appalachia.
That may be one reason why it’s steadily becoming a second home for several Monongalia County natives, specifically within the UNC Asheville cross-country and track programs. University High alum Nathaniel Edwards joined the Bulldogs two years ago, while Morgantown alum Jackson Core is wrapping up his freshman year.
Another Mohigan is about to join the ranks, as Quinn Jacquez signed his letter of intent to UNC Asheville last week.
“Both Nathaniel and Jackson are friends of mine that I’ve been around for years and having them there next year will make North Carolina seem a little more like home,” Jacquez said.
So what is it about Asheville that is drawing some of the top distance running talent from North-central West Virginia? It’s more than just the beautiful scenery, though that does play a part, according to Jacquez.
Being comfortable with the area from previous visits prior to the COVID-19 pandemic helped Jacquez make his decision since he was unable to take any other official visits.
“I really clicked with the head coach (Adam Puett) and knew I really liked the area,” Jacquez said. “In a recruitment process with no athletic visits, it was comforting to know I’ve been on campus multiple times before for a running camp and genuinely enjoy the area. With some great friends of mine currently on the team, it helped so much as it gave a pipeline to the rest of the members and the team culture in Asheville.”
Core and Edwards helped Jacquez get in touch with other members of the team through Zoom since he couldn’t meet them in-person, and they also helped him get in touch with Puett and established a point of contact.
With no designated cross-country course at the university, the surrounding trails and parks make it a haven for distance runners.
Jacquez finished fourth at the state cross-country meet last season as a senior with a time of 16:24.39, the highest finisher for a Morgantown runner, helping the Mohigans claim second as a team.
The year prior, as a junior, he ran a 17:10.50 to finish 20th overall.
Jacquez did not qualify for the state meet as a sophomore or as a freshman, but he felt like he took a big leap forward physically and mentally halfway through his high school career.
“When I became used to the next level, it was relatively smooth sailing,” he said.
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