Although the fate of Bridgeport High School’s boys cross country team will be decided tomorrow at Cabell Midland High School, the journey to get there began this morning. The team, coaches and others that are part of the caravan left at 9:45 a.m. today – all in a quest to capture the school’s second straight Class AA-A state championship.

 

While it’s not officially a “school day,” there is a schedule for those involved. The team will have a stop in Elkview for lunch, then check into their hotel and do what they usually do during a weekday – have practice. This practice, however, will be at Cabell Midland High School.

 

After that, however, there’s a bit of a celebration. BHS Coach Jon Griffith said Cabell Midland will be hosting a reception for the teams and the participants involved.

 

“They have refreshments for the athletes and a huge display of cross country state championship memorabilia and photographs,” said Griffith.

 

That event is followed by dinner. And that is followed by a later in the evening team meeting and an early trip to bed, Griffith said.

 

Griffith isn’t worried about his team being distracted on the long trip from home and the day away from school. In fact, he’s pretty confident of how the group will handle itself.

 

“We have plenty to do and the practice session on the course keeps them focused on the reason we are there.  Like last year’s team, this group has a good time with everything we do; lots of laughs and fun,” Griffith said. “But when race time comes, they are as focused and determined as any athletes I have ever seen, in any sport.”

 

While Cabell Midland is a two-plus hour trip, it’s not something the team is unfamiliar with. Along with already competing on the course during the regular season, there have been a couple of long trips to Berkeley Springs.

 

“It's also very similar to the routine we follow for track and field in the spring for our two trips a year to Charleston each year,” said Griffith, who has the majority of his runner.  So travel doesn't bother us too much.

 

Griffith said the team will have a large travel group with them today and for tomorrow’s event. He also said he’s thrilled to have BHS Principals Mark DeFazio and Matt DeMotto planning on attending.

 

“They have been exceptionally supportive of our program and I can't thank them enough for coming down as well as everything else they have done for us,” Griffith said.

 

The boys will begin their quest for a repeat at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Class AA-A girls’ portion of the meet follows at 10:45 a.m. The awards ceremony will begin at 11:45 a.m.