For Bridgeport’s boys cross country team, it marked the first time all season when their varsity team competed that it didn’t win a meet. And for the girls, Saturday’s meet was more of the progression that has Coach Jon Griffith smiling.

 

Although neither team won the overall event at the Bearcat Invitational in Taylor County, Griffith was pleased with the performances of both squads. In particular, he was pleased that girls took second overall in a 23-school event that had 18 full teams competing

 

“I think this was our best race of the year for the girls. They came in and I think we had all five of the top finishers in the top 30 or in that range,” said Griffith. “Several of them came through in a bunch in the 20s. I haven’t seen the times (which weren’t available Tuesday) so I can’t break things down individually, but the fact they’re running as a group and finishing strong lets me know we’re getting closer to the goals we’re wanting to achieve.”

 

Morgantown was the overall winner of the race. That means that the Indians were the top Class AA-A squad in the meet. Jenna Soltesz led the way for Bridgeport with a time of 21 minutes, 39 seconds in 21^st place. She was followed by Emma Campbell with a time of 21 minutes, 53 seconds for 23^rd place in a field 153 runners. BHS’s next three runners were bunched together as Julia Muller came in 27^th (22:03), Brooke Driscoll was 28^th (22:08) and Brooke Wagner was 31^st (22:12).

 

The girls were well off the Mohigans’ winning pace of 43 points as the Tribe ended the day with 120. That was enough to get past perennial ‘AA’ power Philip Barbour with 132 points.

 

For the boys, it was a third place overall finish. The Indians came in behind Morgantown and Beckley Woodrow Wilson, but they were easily the top Class AA-A program in the event.

 

Bridgeport, with 97 points, was 53 points ahead of runner-up East Fairmont. BHS also failed to win the Battle Run Invitational the previous weekend in Summersville, but the Tribe opted to run their junior varsity athletes in that competition.

 

The Indians were led by Jimmy Lacaria – 16 minutes, 47 seconds – in third place overall. Griffith said Timmy Kinney is on the mend as he continues to battle back from bronchitis. Like the girls, there were 23 schools that had runners for the boys, but only 18 complete teams.

 

Bridgeport did manage to get the win thanks to having their next four runners after Lacaria being grouped from No. 18 to No. 36 in a field of 216 runners.

 

Mark Duez continued his strong pace with an 18^th place finish with a time of 17 minutes, 46 seconds and he was followed closely by Drake Bolle in 21^st place with a time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds. Coleton Mark (31^st, 18:22) and Ryder Frailey (36^th, 18:31) rounded out the top five. Kinney managed a 43^rd place finish.

 

“Overall, I was fairly pleased with the boys,” said Griffith. “I think we can still do better, but we’re more bunched up and finishing stronger at most of our recent events.”

 

Bridgeport easily got past Berkeley Springs; the two teams considered the top programs in the state and the team that upended BHS last year for the title. However, Griffith said the win over BSHS is misleading.

 

“Two of their runners didn’t run because of injuries and a third runner didn’t finish because of an injury in the race. Sure, you try to look at times to see where you stack up, but cross country courses are so different that you can’t always get an accurate gauge … I know we’re right with them and if it comes down to us again this year I hope both squad are at full strength,” said Griffith. “Competitors want to be able to beat the best teams when everyone is at full strength. I think you’d hear just about any coach tell you that.”

 

The teams are back in action this weekend in Ritchie County to compete at North Bend State Park as part of the Ritchie County Invitational. BHS will primarily utilize is junior varsity athletes on both sides of the ledger for the 11 a.m. event.

 

Editor’s Note: Photos courtesy of Bridgeport Track Facebook Page.