BHS Girls Win First Big 10 Cross Country Title since 2011; Boys Finish Fourth as Regional Meet is Next
By Jeff Toquinto on October 13, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
In the last meet before the postseason officially begins, the Bridgeport girls cross country team did what’s it’s done all season long. And that was to dominate.
The Indians captured the Big 10 Conference championship Thursday at the White Day Golf Course in Fairmont. The girls finished with 60 points to get past second place Philip Barbour with 85 in the 12-team field.
How big was the Big 10 title? It marked the first time since 2011 that the Tribe had captured the league title with the girls’ team.
Bridgeport’s boys’ team (93 points) had a good day, but were unable to finish at the top of the leaderboard. The Indians came in fourth place behind Preston (50), East Fairmont (83), and Philip Barbour (84).
On the girls’ side, Julia Muller led the way with a balanced attack that again produced positive results. Muller finished fourth with a time of 20 minutes, 35.5 seconds. Emma Campbell was right behind Muller with a fifth place finish and a time of 20 minutes, 55.59 seconds. The pair were named all-Big 10 selections.
“It was a great team effort by all of the girls. Very proud of each of (them) for (their) runs today,” said Griffith. “(The team is) well on the way to being the best Bridgeport High School girls cross country team ever.”
The depth paid off as Bridgeport had three more finishers in the top 20. Allison Hess was 15th (22.14.72), Brooke Wagner was 17th (22:15.84) and Jenna Soltesz was 19th (22:23.31) Haley Chamberlain in 24th and Michaela Perri at No. 25 meant the top seven BHS runners finished in the top 25.
The boys were paced once again by senior Mark Duez. Duez, whose last meet saw him battle a bee sting that swelled his ankle tremendously in the Harrison County championship, showed no ill effects from it as he finished second overall with a time of 16 minutes, 48.78 seconds.
Bridgeport had one other runner in the top 10. Jackson Jacobs came in ninth overall. The sophomore posted a time of 17 minutes, 45.06 seconds. Both Duez and Jackson are members of the All-Big 10 team thanks to their strong showings.
Cade Robinson was the only other 
runner that finished in the top 20. He came in at the No. 20 spot with a time of 18 minutes, 27.59 seconds.
runner that finished in the top 20. He came in at the No. 20 spot with a time of 18 minutes, 27.59 seconds.
“A much better effort out of almost all of the boys. I think we closed the gap on Philip Barbour and East Fairmont a little (Thursday). The next two weeks we need to focus and get a little better,” said Griffith.
The teams are back in action looking to qualify for the state meet. The Class AA-A Region II meet is Thursday, Oct. 19, at Davis & Elkins College at 1 p.m.
Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of the Bridgeport High School Cross Country program and Coach Jon Griffith.
