Expectations are high for this year’s team with a great deal of experience returning from last year’s team that earned a record 41 medals at the State Meet last May. From the 41 medals there was 11 State Championship medals earned by Tucker County.
The Girls’ Track team will start the season ranked #1 in the state by RunWV. This year they return some key members from last year’s successful team. Coach Shane Eakle was ask about this year’s team and he said, “The kids are working hard, weather has been somewhat cooperating. We have a lot of young kids out, we have a good core group of seniors that are working hard and leading the others.” This year three of the four members of the state champion girls’ shuttle hurdle relay team return, seniors Olivia Miller, Kelsey Kyle and sophomore Elizabeth Nichols. Several girls’ will be competing for spots on the other successful relay teams as well as field events. The double state champion discus and shot thrower Aiyana Kachmarek is back for her senior year. Senior Madison Mullenax, juniors Madison Reall and Jenna White look to make an impact in the 1600m and 3200m events. The Girls’ team finished 3rd overall in last year’s State Meet just 1 point from 2nd place behind perennial powers Williamstown(1st), Charleston Catholic(2nd). Look for some freshman runners to step up early and make an impact on this year’s team.
The Boys’ team lost some great runners as they captured state championships in 2 events last season. The 800m open event showed Tucker County in first place and the 4x800m Relay team took home the top spot last May in Charleston. Some key athletes returning for the Boys’ is seniors Michael Callaway, Wes Knotts, Walker Blosser; Juniors Marcus Mason, Daniel Kisamore; Sophomores Brody Strawderman, Logan Pitzer, Josh Kincaid, Eddie Kachmarek. Coach Tom Gutshall is back to help Coach Eakle and Coach Ed Kachmarek works with the Girls’ and Boys’ throwers as well.
There are a total of 54 kids out for track according to Eakle, 22 Girls’ and 32 Boys’. The schedule is loaded up again this year with mostly “AA” and “AAA” teams which makes the team better toward the end of the year. These athletes will be working for 40-45 dress positions at each of the 7 regular season meets. The first meet of the season was scheduled for yesterday March 31st at Buckhannon. Here is the schedule for the remainder of the schedule; 4/2 @ Parkersburg South, 4/7 @ Keyser, 4/10 @ Laidley Field, St. Albans, 4/17 @ Lewis County, 4/21 @ Buckhannon, 4/24 @ Parkersburg South, 4/28 @ Keyser. The PVC will be 5/5 and the Regional Meet will be 5/15 @ Buckhannon. The State Meet in Charleston is scheduled for May 22nd and May 23rd. Keep up with the Track team all season on TuckerCountySports.Com and RunWV.Com
