MORGANTOWN — Deep in the heart of Appalachia, two roads diverge as they did for Robert Frost.
Most from Morgantown prefer the road called I-79, which leads them north to their blue and gold haven, home of the Mountaineers.
The other? I-64, running east-west in the southern portion of the state — and if you ride it an hour west, you’ll arrive at West Virginia’s oft-forgotten second NCAA Division I institution: Marshall.
Nestled by the Ohio River in cozy Huntington, Marshall stands as the road less taken for many Morgantown natives — a smaller school, lacking the spotlight of the state’s flagship university but home to a rich history, academic prestige and dedicated school pride.
Like Frost, Morgantown senior Myah McAlister chose the road less traveled April 11. Now she’s left to hope it makes all the difference.
“I’m very excited. I think it’s a great reward for all of my hard work,” she said. “I’m excited to see how much I can improve and what I can contribute to the team.”
McAlister was a pivotal piece of an MHS cross-country sqaud that earned four consecutive Class AAA state runner-up finishes and a track team that earned the 2017 Class AAA state championship.
On the track squad, she was a member of a 4×800 meter relay squad that earned a Class AAA state championship and a West Virginia prep track record.
MHS cross-country assistant Jeff Core called McAlister “clutch” and “tough,” praising her abilities as both a competitor and a teammate.
“When she was needed, she was there. She showed up during big performance time and did big things for the team when she was not well,” he said. “She really put it together when it meant the most.”
Three of McAlister’s cross-country teammates, including two members of the record-setting 4×800 relay, chose to stay at home and run for WVU, but she chose to pursue her desire for change.“I wanted to go to Marshall to get a different change in running scenery and make new friends,” she said. “I think that’s going to be the best way to improve my times.”
When McAlister began to narrow down the recruiting process, the team atmosphere made the Thundering Herd stick out.
“I’m really excited; lots of promising things are happening there,” she said. “They’ve seen a lot of success, and the coach is very welcoming and really wants me to be a part of the team. The campus is pretty, and the girls on the team are also really nice and welcoming.”
McAlister looks to make new connections and take the next step toward developing as a runner in the green and white.
“I’m most excited to see how much I will improve my times for cross-country and track and to make new friends.”
Of course, MHS track coach Steven Blinco is excited to support McAlister every step of the way. And what is he most excited for?
“I cannot wait to head down to Marshall, grab an authentic Tudor’s biscuit — the Thundering Herd, my favorite — and watch Myah shine,” he said.
