The last time the Bridgeport High School girls track team didn’t win the Harrison County track and field championship, there wasn’t a single member of the current team that has yet to be born. As for the boys, with the exception of a hiccup in 2003, anyone living the last time they failed to take first was likely to young to even remember.

 

On Tuesday, the streak of dominance in track and field continued. This time, the Indians found victory on both sides of the track ledger at Robert C. Byrd High School.

 

The girls scored 225 points to toppled Liberty, who finished with 185 points in the five-team event. The boys had fewer points at 205, but won by a larger margin over second place RCB with 133 points in the six-team field.

 

How impressive is the current streak for the girls? They have won the Harrison County Championships every year since 1996; or 21 straight. What’s more unique is that prior to that win the girls had never won a title.

 

As for the boys, they have won 14 straight with the lone setback in 2003 interrupting a run that includes wins in 20 of the last 21 and 23 of the last 26. Oddly, prior to the 1990s, the only other county title for the boys came in 1971, according to BHS boys Coach Jon Griffith.

 

The girls won 11 events Tuesday, led by McKenna Smith. The talented junior won the 100 meter dash (12.18 seconds), the 200 (24.91 seconds) and the 300 meter hurdles (45.94 seconds).

 

Bridgeport got a pair of wins in the middle and long distance events. Kirstin George won the 800 meters in 2 minutes, 30.89 seconds, while Jenna Soltesz won the 3200 meter run in a time of 12 minutes, 49.04 seconds.

 

Along with Smith winning the 300 hurdle event, Mateah Kittle took home the win in the 100 meter hurdles. She posted a time of 16.68 seconds.

 

The Tribe also won four field events. Kristen Crowder won the high jump by clearing five feet and Rory Marple was the long jump winner with a mark of 15 feet, 2 inches. Caroline Lloyd continued her strong showing in the pole vault with a winning effort of 10 feet, while Sarah Randolph was the shot put winner with a toss of 32 feet, 11 inches.

 

The Indians won one relay event. The 4x400 team of George, Crowder, Juliet Hart and Catie Wilson finished with a time of 4 minutes, 23.15 seconds.

 

“The team had another great day. We had several girls with personal bests, again, and that's what we was looking for in this meet,” said BHS Coach Emilee Stout. “Their main focus was to do perform with everything they had, and they did. I am very proud of the girls.

 

“We have continued to improve the last couple weeks and I think we are fully prepared for what's ahead with Big 10 and regionals,” she continued. “I'm excited for our team, and I know the girls are anxious to keep on going.”

 

Bridgeport’s boys won just five events, but placed strong throughout for its winning point total. Incredibly, Bridgeport had 11 runner-up finishes at the meet. Overall, Griffith was happy with the showing.

 

“The weather was a little annoying, but overall the meet went fairly well.  I feel like we could have done a little better in some places, while others had a great meet,” said Griffith.

 

Ian Frailey had the big day with two first place individual finishes. He won the 800 meter run with a time of 2 minutes, 4.99 seconds and came back to win the 1600 meters at 4 minutes and 52.62 seconds.

 

Bridgeport had another win in a distance event. Jimmy Lacaria won the 3200 meter run with a time of 10 minutes, 20.15 seconds.

 

The Indians won the 4x800 meter relay. The team of Drake Bolle, Mark Duez, Timothy Kinney and Jonathan Hartman finished with a time of 8 minutes, 57.575 seconds.

 

Bridgeport’s final victory came in the long jump. Tristan Shaw had a leap of 18 feet, 4 inches.

 

“In the field events, we had several kids set a personal best.  In the pole vault, Josh Osborn went 12’ 0.” In the shot put, Chris Trent threw 42’ 11.5.” Titus Smith in the discus threw 118’ 9.” In the running events we had some improvements as well,” said Griffith. “In the 800 meters, Ian Frailey (2:04.99), Jimmy Lacaria (2:06.09) and Timmy Kinney (2:08.99) all set new personal best marks.  Freshmen Hunter Hutson dropped his 1600 time by 10 and a half seconds to 5:02.46. In the 3200 meter, Drake Bolle brought his time down to 10:25.65, which is an over four second improvement.”

 

The Indians return to action Friday at Buckhannon-Upshur High School for the Big 10 meet. The meet begins at 11 a.m.

 

“We had a great weekend in Charleston for the Gazette Relays.  The short turnaround time this week from the Gazettes to the Harrison County to the BIG 10 makes it a little draining for the coaching staff and the athletes,” Griffith said. “Still we seem to be continuing to improve.  Hopefully that will continue through the next three meets.”