By: Adam Freeman
Tucker County High School’s track and field teams delivered a notable showing at the WVSSAC Class A State Championships in Charleston, highlighted by Luke Barb capturing a state championship in the high jump and leading the Mountain Lions to a sixth-place finish overall in the boys team standings.
Barb soared to first place in the high jump, earning the title of State Champion and capping off an outstanding season for Tucker County athletics. His championship performance was one of several medal-winning efforts for the Mountain Lions during the state meet.
The Tucker County boys team totaled 46 points to finish sixth overall among Class A schools. Nate Ricottilli earned a third-place finish in the 400-meter dash, while distance runner Lynk Suesli also secured third place in the 3200-meter run.
Reid Kisamore contributed valuable points with a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash and an eighth-place finish in the 400-meter dash.
Tucker County also excelled in relay competition. The quartet of Nate Ricottilli, Keelyn Eichelberger, Luke Barb, and Reid Kisamore captured second place in the 4×400-meter relay, earning state runner-up honors and a new school record time. In the 4×800-meter relay, Cameron Judy, Landon Wilfong, Alex Collar, and Lynk Suesli brought home third place medals. Barb, Eichelberger, Ricottilli, and Kisamore also placed eighth in the 4×200-meter relay.
On the girls side, Tucker County finished 13th overall with 21 points and saw several athletes reach the podium.
Lela Wright led the Lady Mountain Lions with a third-place finish in the 100-meter dash and fifth place in the 200-meter dash. Estoria Chase added a seventh-place finish in the 3200-meter run.
The girls relay teams also turned in solid performances. Mayah Gross, Addi Moats, Rachel Hile, and Wright earned seventh place in the 4×100-meter relay and fifth place in the 4×200-meter relay. The shuttle hurdles team of Addi Moats, Livey Mayne, Kenah Griffith, and Rachel Hile placed seventh, while Moats, Griffith, Mayne, and Hile finished eighth in the 4×400-meter relay.
Every Tucker County athlete who finished in the top eight earned a medal at the state meet, capping a successful championship appearance for the Mountain Lions in Charleston.
