MORGANTOWN — After a second-consecutive state championship for the Morgantown High girls’ track and field team, head coach Steve Blinco was named West Virginia High School Girls Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and the United States Marine Corps.
This is the second time earning the award for Blinco, after the first came in 2014.
With Blinco at the helm, the MHS girls have claimed team state titles in 2012, ’17, ’22, and ’23, as well as many individual state titles and accolades coming for his runners in that time.
“This year, we were looked at by some as a bit of a favorite after winning the team title last year and having the success that we had,” Blinco said. “But one thing that we know is you still have to go out and perform and earn everything. We came back with a great core of runners this season led by Irene Riggs, and were very happy with the accomplishments of the year.”
Originally at Suncrest Middle School where he coached discus and shot-put, Blinco also coached track and field at Westwood Middle School, while substitute teaching.
“Then when I came to Morgantown High a lot of the kids I had coached on the middle school teams were the ones coming out for the high school team,” he said. “So from day one, we had a great turnout for the program and that’s something we’ve been lucky to sustain. I took anyone that wanted to come out the first year and it has grown from there. Not many high schools have 100-plus on their roster.”
Earlier in the season, Blinco said that he initially had over 140 students come to the first team meeting.
Although he has been involved with track at many levels in Mon County for many years, there are still some things Blinco hopes to accomplish around the area for the sport. One thing he mentioned was trying to get an indoor track and field season up and running during the winter, prior to the outdoor season in the spring.
“We are trying to utilize the winter months for an indoor season,” he said. “It isn’t something that has fully come to fruition but the discussion is there and we would enjoy having it.”
Another big goal is to see a state meet held in Morgantown at the Mylan Park facility. But no matter what accolades have come in the past, and what may come in the future, Blinco says the most-rewarding thing is the relationships that have been built.
“As I think back on these types of awards, I can’t help but think of all the bonds formed over time and all of the people that have helped make the program what it is,” he said. “This sport opens up so many doors for friendships and different avenues and it starts with the people and community.”
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