In a perfect track and field world for Bridgeport boys track Coach Jon Griffith, he would be talking right now about the Indians’ second-ever state championship. Instead, he’s looking back on his team’s recent effort that landed the club a third place finish.

 

However, Griffith is far from disappointed with the showing. In fact, he’s pleased with how his team did at the recent two-day Class AA state track meet at Charleston’s Laidley Field and the 2016 season as a whole.

 

“The overall season was filled with some great accomplishments.  We won our 23rd Harrison County title in 26 years (14 in a row currently), our 20th Big 10 Championship in 21 years and our ninth regional championship in the last 18 years including the last four in a row,” said Griffith. “Placing third overall in the state in also something to be proud of for this team.  We are very young, losing only four seniors.”

 

The young Indians made a strong showing. The team was in first place after the shorter first day of the meet and was still in second place with one event to go. The Tribe’s 47 points was good enough for third and behind champion Keyser with 78 and runner-up Nicholas County with 56.

 

Bridgeport started off the meet in strong fashion by winning the very first event. The Indians got a victory in the 4x800 meter relay with a time of 8 minutes, 11.94 seconds – winning by nearly a second over runner-up Berkeley Springs.

 

“The 4x800m ran a spectacular race on Friday.  All four members, Coleton Marsh, Timmy Kinney, Jimmy Lacaria and Ian Frailey, ran several seconds under their best times in the 800 this year.  Breaking the record has been their focus all season long,” said Griffith. “The way most meets we run are set up, there are lots of other events prior to the 4x800 meter relay.  At the state meet it is the first event so everyone is fresh.  I wasn’t surprised they broke the record, but I was surprised at how much they broke it by.  I couldn’t be happier for them.”

 

As it would turn out, the first win would be the only win. Still, Bridgeport’s depth had it in place for a second place finish with one event to go. The Tribe was up one point on Nicholas County with just the 4x400 left.

 

“Nicholas was favored to win the 4x400 meter relay and we were predicted fourth,” said Griffith, whose team did not place in the event. “I give a lot of credit to Nicholas County and Jackson Reed, they had a spectacular meet and deserved to take the runner-up trophy.”

 

Bridgeport did find the second place position in a few events, as well as a few in the third place slot as well. Ian Frailey was one of the individuals wearing the red and white that had a strong day.

 

Frailey just missed winning the 800 meter title by less than a second. He finished with a time of 1 minute, 59.4 seconds, while coming in third place in the 1600 meter run with a time of 4 minutes, 25.92 seconds.

 

“Ian had yet another strong effort this past weekend.  Ian dropped almost five seconds in the 1600 meters and just over three seconds in the 800 meters.  His times in the relays (4x800 and 4x400) were also outstanding,” said Griffith. “Ian probably had the best last three weeks of the season for us.  It’s really hard to do week after week, but Ian managed it well.”

 

Jimmy Lacaria picked up the only other runner-up finish. He posted a time of 9 minutes, 47.27 seconds to finish second in the 3200 meter run. 

 

“I know that Jimmy isn’t happy with his open races this weekend.  In the 3200, he let (Jackson) Reed from Nicholas County get too far out in front before Jimmy made his move and wasn’t able to close the gap.  He still ran a good time, but not what he wanted,” said Griffith. “It is a learning experience for him and a mistake I’m sure he won’t make again.”

 

Christopher Trent was the only other BHS thinclad to earn a top three finish. His throw of 44 feet, 9.5 inches earned him that spot in the shot put.

 

“Chris is the other athlete, along with Ian Frailey, who seemed to keep improving over these last three weeks,” said Griffith. “As I have said all season, Chris is new to the sport and the future is very bright for him.”

 

Griffith was also pleased with the showing of Mark Duez and Drake Bolle as both posted personal bests in the 3200 meters. Duez finished fifth with a time of 10 minutes, 1.76 seconds, while Bolle was just outside the points circle with an eight place finish and a time of 10 minutes, 21.98 seconds. 

 

As he often does, Griffith is already sizing things up for next year. The big thing is to find a way to replace the four departing seniors.

 

“Those four – Ian Frailey, Jacob Griffith, Jack Funk and Sam Lacaria – will be missed, but I think there are guys waiting to step up and fill those shoes,” said Griffith. “I think the upcoming seasons will be very good for us.”    

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Ian Frailey crossing the finish line after a successful relay event, while Jimmy Lacaria battles it out in the 3200 meter event in the middle photo. Bottom picture shows Christopher Trent, left, and Lane Noel after their fifth and sixth place finish, respectively, in the shot put.