By the time the first meet of the track season is at hand, it’s fairly typical that the coaching staffs for the Bridgeport High School boys and girls track teams usually have a decent idea of what they have at their disposal. As most know, the start of the 2018 track season was anything but typical.

 

Due to the statewide teacher strike and Harrison County’s ruling involving all paid coaches, BHS is like most others in the county – they’re a bit behind. And the annual Red-White preseason track scrimmage that is used to gauge progress was scrapped because of it.

 

Still, expectations are high for the Indians as both teams are coming off seasons in which they finished as runners-up in the Class AA state meet. Both teams return talent and both hope to return to the top of the ‘AA’ pile at the end of the season.

 

The start of the season is Friday. The Indians will host the annual Connect-Bridgeport Invitational, which covers two days and will be held at the Wayne Jamison Field complex. Action starts Friday at 4 p.m. and continues Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

 

For the boys to get back to the top – starting with Friday’s meet – they’re going to need a strong showing from a little less numbers than usual. The good news is that there’s quality available for veteran Coach John Griffith.

 

“Currently we have 41 boys out for the team,” said Griffith. “(That’s) a little less than usual, but the ones we have are pretty good athletes.” 

 

Indeed they are. A large percentage of those wearing the BHS colors this year know what it’s like to compete at a high level.

 

“We do return a very large percentage of our athletes from last year, so who knows?  We would like to move up a little,” said Griffith.

 

Griffith pointed to a number of athletes that should be in the mix this year. Here’s Griffith’s take on several of those back:

 

Throwers:  “Chris Trent returns for his senior year.  State runner up in the shot put last year and state placer in the discus, we look for Chris to have a solid year.  He will be throwing along with Mica Swann and J.R. Coburn among others,” said Griffith.

 

Pole Vault:  “Josh Osborne returns as well after a top three finish at last year’s state meet.  Carson Wienke, Benson Bassell and a young group of vaulters join Osborne,” said Griffith.

 

High Jump:  Tristan Shaw, Ashton Davis, Austen Massey and Quincy Jones seem to be leading in this event for us, but there are several others pushing to get in,” Griffith said.

 

Long Jump: “Tristan Shaw also leads this group along with several younger members of the team,” Griffith said.

 

Sprints / Hurdles: “A host of seniors lead this group.  Maverick Eddy, Trenton Shaw, Chase Binegar, Tristan Shaw, and Josh Osborne along with underclass athletes Hayden Hess, Braeden Oldaker, Kyle McCarthy, Nathan Jackson and Tyler Norman,” Griffith said.  

 

Distance: “Mark Duez currently looks to be the top of this group, but a strong push will be coming from Coleton Marsh, Jackson Jacobs, and Hunter Hutson among others,” Griffith said.

 

So what’s the overall strength?

 

“The team is pretty balanced across the 18 events,” the coach said. “We have quite a few excellent seniors, so our experience may be the real strength of the team.”

 

And what about weaknesses?  

 

“If anywhere, we seem to be a little low in jumpers; high jump, long jump and pole vault.  We will be looking to improve our numbers and quality in those areas,” said Griffith.

 

For the girls, the 2018 season will mark the first time in four years without sprinter McKenna Smith and the first time in the last two years where she set and shattered state records in four different events at the state meet. Smith has taken her talents to West Virginia University and the Big 12 Conference.

 

“Losing McKenna is tough, but I am confident in our returners and for the most part, we feel good and are ready to take on the coming season,” said Emilee (Stout) Yurish.

 

Taking on the season will be a team consisting of 47 student-athletes. Like the boys, the girls found themselves in second place to Winfield at the state meet and Yurish thinks those two – along with other programs – could once again be in the mix for top status in Class AA.

 

“I believe it will be a close matchup again with them, and there are always a handful of other teams and athletes across the state that can perform well at states, too,” she said.

 

The Indians will lean heavily on two athletes this year. Both made a mark last year and should be supplemented by a roster that isn’t short on skill.

 

“Isabella Bowen is our top sprinter and Julia Muller in distance. We have a lot of returners across the board for nearly all 18 events, and just need to focus on performing well and scoring every chance we can,” said Yurish. “Each meet helps as a good buildup for regionals and states, so we need to gain confidence every week in those meets.”

 

So what does Yurish see as this team’s strength.

 

“One big strength is the handful of returners. We have a lot of senior and juniors,” said Yurish.

 

And weaknesses?

 

“Weakness is always starting out with handoffs in the relays and lack of practice in field events.  Because of the circumstances at the start of the year, it has really cut down on our time for training and weather has been a slight issue too,” said Yurish. “This makes it difficult to be prepared for the first couple meets, but we will certainly give it our best.

 

Griffith concurred that it’s been a difficult preseason.

 

“Since we were not able to get the Red-White scrimmage in, this meet will have to serve as our initial data gathering event.  These early season events allow us to better evaluate the athletes and find the right spots for them in our lineup,” said Griffith.

 

The field once again includes several talented teams. Among the groups expected to compete include Morgantown, Doddridge County, Preston, Braxton County, Lewis County and Elkins. There is also a simultaneous running of the middle school meet as well with Bridgeport Middle, Central Preston, Doddridge County, Washington Irving, Wood County Christian, Robert L. Bland, Elkins and South Middle.

 

Cost to attend the meet is $5 each day. Concessions and t-shirts will be available.  

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Josh Osborn, while teammate Mark Duez is in the second photo. In the third picture, Isabella Bowen heads toward the finish line, while Julia Muller leads a pack of Indians in a distance race at last year's Gazette Invitational.