BHS Cross Country Teams Ready for Home Course at Annual Charles Pointe Invitational
By Chris Johnson on September 12, 2024
A week after catching the bus at 4:30 a.m., the Bridgeport High School cross country runners will get to sleep in a bit this Saturday.
The annual Charles Pointe Invitational will take place on Saturday at The Bridge Sports Complex and the Indians will compete on their home course for the first time this year.
“We’ve been training out there once a week since the first of August,” BHS coach Nathaniel “Looch” Lutyens said. “It’s always a little bit of an advantage and a confidence boost when you are on a course you are familiar with. They are definitely excited.”
Last week’s early bus ride was necessary for a trip to the Red, White & Blue Classic in Pittsburgh, an event that featured more than 40 schools and Lutyens was pleased with his team’s effort.
Mikaela DeMoss was the top finisher for the BHS girls with Ash McBrayer and Sara Rexroad also having strong days.
William Northey led the way for the BHS boys with Diego Perez, Ethan Smell, Quentin Collier and Parker Muncy close behind.
“The side that has surprised me and impressed me the most is the girls side,” Lutyens said. Mikaela DeMoss ran a 20:01 last week. We’ve had less than a half dozen girls go under 20 minutes in a 5K in school history as far back as my records go.
“Ash and Sara ran really well, they both ran in the low 21 range and we have some other girls working hard behind them.
“For the boys, we are seeing a definite emergence from Diego Perez. He was our second finisher last Saturday. He’s really moved up our ranks. William Northey ran under 16 minutes last Saturday so we were pleased with that.
“Overall, I feel like the team is coming along nicely.”
The first race at the Charles Pointe Invitational will be the girls high school race at 9 a.m. The high school boys race will begin at approximately 9:45. After a high school awards ceremony, the middle school girls race will start at 11 a.m. followed by the boys middle school race at approximately 11:30 and then a middle school awards ceremony.
A one-mile fun run for kids is scheduled for the event as well, at the conclusion of the middle school races.
In addition to Bridgeport, high schools competing on Saturday are Covenant (Huntington), Lincoln, Nicholas County, East Fairmont, Heritage Christian, Philip Barbour and Robert C. Byrd.
The middle school competitors are Bridgeport, Covenant, Covenant Christian, East Fairmont, South Harrison, Suncrest, Taylor County, Washington Irving, Heritage Christian, Kasson, Lincoln, South (Morgantown), West Fairmont and Westwood.
Editor's Note: File photo of DeMoss by Joe LaRocca.
