No one has to remind Bridgeport High School Cross Country Coach Jon Griffith, members of the boys’ team or anyone that follows them that the Indians were heavy favorites to walk away with their third straight Class AA-A state championship Saturday. Everyone that made the trip south and those that stayed behind were all aware of what was predicted to transpire.

 

Unfortunately, what was supposed to transpire didn’t. Instead, the team suffered their first loss in three years to a Class AA-A foe and finished by the slimmest of margins as the runner-up. Although two state titles and a second place in a three-year span isn’t shabby by any means, Griffith knows the loss was hard to swallow.

 

The Indians finished the state meet at Cabell Midland High School with 79 points. Berkeley Springs, a team the Tribe had upended the week before in the regional, edged them out with a 77.

 

“A close loss is always more difficult to deal with in any sport.  Even worse is to lose when you know that you should have won.  I give Berkeley Springs a lot of credit though.  They never gave up hope and ran one of their best races of the year and took advantage of our faltering,” said Griffith.

 

As one might expect, Griffith’s post-meet speech wasn’t the one he anticipated to deliver. However, the message, which is paraphrased here, may end up being even more important as the runners move forward to another year of competition or – for the seniors – on to the next phase of their lives.

 

“"I could try and sugar coat this, but I won't.  I am extremely proud of all of you for another great season, but it is not what we wanted or expected.  Individually some of you had a great meet and some of you didn't.  Congratulations to those that did.  To those who didn't, use it.  In fact, you all need to feel the sting that comes with falling short of your goals. Cross Country is, after all, a team sport.  The two points we needed could have come from anyone who wasn't at the top of that podium.  Don't minimize the hurt, don't forget it.  That pain is what you need to draw from as motivation to work even harder to reach our goal next time.  What happened Saturday is what happens in sports and what happens in real life.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.   Strength and character are not born from success, instead they are the by-product of being knocked down and getting up ... again and again ... refusing to stay down.  The world is full of people who shrink or hide in the face of adversity.  Don't be one of those people.  To be a winner in life requires tenacity and determination.  It requires dedication, sacrifice, and work.  The same is true of cross country.  They have done and shown all of those things.  Now is the time to show resiliency....to get back up, start again and focus our efforts toward the next challenge,” Griffith said. 

 

Even in defeat, Griffith saw plenty of positives in the meet. Drake Bolle (17:03), Mark Duez (17:04) and Ian Frailey (17:12) finished 13^th, 14^th and 15^th, respectively.

“Drake, Mark and Coleton Marsh (32nd) all had their best career times ever on Saturday.  Ian was within a few seconds of his best time as well,” said Griffith. “That is what you want as a coach or an athlete, to run your best at the biggest meet of the year.”

 

Bridgeport should contend again next year whether it’s in Class AA-A or even in Class AAA if the Tribe moves up when reclassification is announced. BHS has 20 underclassmen back, including eight of the top 10 in those that compete regularly.

 

“With a few additions from around school and the incoming freshmen class, we should have another great season ahead of us,” said Griffith. “After what happened this weekend, I have a feeling we will be back next year with a vengeance.”

 

Griffith said he’s also losing some talented seniors, including team captains Ian Frailey, Jack Funk and Jacob Love. Seniors Andrew Wilson, Sam Lacaria, and Cordell Hutchison will also be leaving us this year. 

 

“All of these are outstanding young men, have been essential to our program these last four years and will be truly missed,” said Griffith.

 

Although the BHS girls didn’t qualify, Jenna Soltesz did. The sophomore ended up finishing 27^th overall with a time of 21 minutes, 10.41 seconds.

 

“Jenna ran a great race at the state meet.  She had the best time of her career by over 25 seconds.  As the lone representative of the team on the biggest stage of the year, you just can’t ask for much more than that,” said Griffith.

 

The girls lose nine seniors in Savannah Blythe, Madison Beverlin, Bailey Campbell, Ashley Roop, Mateah Kittle, Maggie Lohmann, Jennifer Gerst, Sarah Randolph, and Abby Cottrell. The team will also lose junior exchange student, Aneta Sklenska. 

 

“Savannah, Madison and Bailey were our senior captains this season and they along with all the girls are a special group.  They have created a close knit group out of 25 unique individuals on the team.  All of them will be sorely missed,” said Griffith.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is the BHS boys team getting ready prior to the state meet, while Drake Bolle - the Tribe's top finisher - is shown in the second photo. Girls runner Jenna Soltesz is shown in the bottom picture. 

 

Click HERE for the story from race day.