WESTON -- Doddridge County swept both the boys and girls titles at the Class A, Region II Track and Field Championship at Lewis County High School Thursday.
The Doddridge girls dominated the competition, rolling up 252 points. Its nearest competitor, Moorefield, finished with 64 points. East Hardy edged South Harrison, 55-54, for third place. Tygarts Valley completed the top five with 40 points.
"We had several girls qualify that we hadn't counted on," DC girls coach Craig Kellar said. "We're happy for that. It helps the younger kids and their development."
The Doddridge boys outscored South Harrison, 167-90, to claim the regional title. Third place went to East Hardy, who finished with 82.5, while Moorefield (75) and Pendleton County (53) rounded out the top five on the boys side.
"The kids had a good day and we're pleased with the regional win," DC boys coach Rick Coffman said. "The juniors and seniors especially stepped forward and did well in the middle distance and the field events."
The Bulldog girls were led by Jennie Spencer, who placed first in the high jump, 300 meter hurdles, 400 meter run and 800 meter run.
"Jennie won all four of her events and she's looking good in all of them," Kellar said. "That's important. She's going into the state meet on a high note."
Clara Grandt also picked up multiple wins, capturing the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, along with a second place in the 800. Niki Zickefoose (100), Nicole White (pole vault), and Kate Clark (discus) added individual wins for Doddridge. Adding to the Bulldogs dominance were 1-2-3 performances in the 1600, 3200, and pole vault and the qualifying of four of their five relay teams.
South Harrison's Trista West took second place in the 200 and 400 to qualify for the state meet. The Hawks also qualified Jennalea Rose in the discus (3rd) and Stephanie Brown in the 800 (3rd) and 300 hurdles (4th) and will take their shuttle hurdle amd 4x200 relay squads to Charleston.
"I'm impressed with our girls and their work ethic," SH girls coach Jane Byrd. "They want to look like a team and they're acting like a team."
Christina Kast and Amy Riddle qualified for the state meet for Notre Dame. Kast finished third in the long jump and fourth in the high jump. Riddle earned fourth in the discus and the shot.
"This has been a pretty good day for a team that only has eight kids," ND coach Greg Douglass said. "I see a lot of potential here for such a small group and we're looking forward to next year."
The Bulldog boys were led by Mike Drescher, who earned victories in the 400 and 800. Other individual winners included Eric Thompson (1600), Brent Wellings (3200), Willie Sarine (pole vault), and Tim Williams (shot). Doddridge also qualified for four of the five relay events.
The Bulldogs went 1-2-3 in the 400, 800 and 3200 to seal their regional win.
"We've been strong in those events all year," Coffman said. "This was a good team win and it should get us ready for the state meet."
JonAdam Romeo led South Harrison's boys effort with victories in the 100 and 200 meter dash events. Other Hawks qualified for individual events at the state meet include Scott Wallace, who placed second in both the 110 and 300 hurdles, and Yohan Berthe, who finished second in the high jump and third in the long jump and discus. The Hawks will also send three relay teams to Charleston to compete.
"We qualified pretty much everybody we thought we would," SH boys coach Paul Byrd said. "Everybody gave it their best effort and our kids didn't do a bad job considering we don't have a track to run on. The move from Class AA-A to Class A really helped us because we have more participation."
James Douglass placed third in the high jump for Notre Dame and will be the Irish's lone boys representative.
