Cougar track and field teams give first-rate signals to state

Jefferson High School freshman Autumn Livesay came in sixth place at the Cardinal Classic, with a jump of 14.03.75’, on Saturday. David Pennock
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — Jefferson’s track and field girls team ran off with West Virginia’s team honors last year, winning the state championship at Laidley Field in Charleston.
After that best-in-the-state accomplishment, the Cougars appear talented enough and deep enough to be the leading contender for another ride to the 2022 championship.
Jefferson has a cadre of quality sprinters, points-grabbing relay teams as well as some of the state’s better distance runners and hurdlers.
Trinity Blue, Arayia Maiben, Lorelei Bangit and Briauna Goins give the Cougars a 4×100 relay team that will gather heaps of points. Blue and Maiben will be among the chosen few to challenge for an individual state title in the 100. Bangit could be a double-winner in the 200 and 400. If she doesn’t win the 200, then it might be Blue who does.
T’Asya Jay joins with Maiben, Blue and Bangit in the 4×200 relay to provide vital team points.

Jefferson High School sophomore Michael Swartz had a time of 51.15’ in the 300 meter hurdles in the Cardinal Classic on Saturday. David Pennock
The premier distance runners are Addie LaBombard and Faith Fogelsong, with LaBombard running a 11:58.46 winning time in the 3,200 against a large field at the Handley Invitational.
A large contingent of sprinters includes Jayla Kidrick and Myah Powell-Utley.
One of the more versatile athletes the team has is Briauna Goins, who earns team points in the shot put and hurdles.
Haley Shanley and Helena Radford in the discus and Jasmine Matthews in the shot put have been best “throwers” in the largest meets this spring season.
Giving the Cougars depth in the distance races are Layla Parker and Claire Burkhardt.

Jefferson High School’s Spencer Powell passes the baton to Keyshawn Robinson in the 4 x 100 relay. Jefferson won the relay easily, with a time of 42.24, 0.04 seconds off the state record of 42.20 set by Jefferson in 1992, during Saturday’s Cardinal Classic at Cardinal Stadium in Martinsburg. David Pennock
Besides Goins in the hurdles, Hope Gestl has done well. Those two give Jefferson half of the competitive shuttle hurdles relay team.
Jefferson recently won the team title at the Cardinal Classic held at Spring Mills High. Jefferson also finished second in the 27-team field at the Handley Invitational.
Sprinters abound on the Jefferson boys team as well.
Keyshawn Robinson (100, 200 and sprint relays) has company from Isaiah Fritts (400, 200 and sprint relays) in the shortest distances. Caleb Shelton and Spencer Powell have joined with Robinson and Fritts to come within tenths of a second of establishing a new state record in the 4×100 relay.
The classy 4×400 relay unit has Tay’Shaun Roper, Kowen Brassfield, Chase Brown and Justin Gottlieb doing its legwork. Juston Gottlieb joins with David Fogelsong, Connor Myers and Christian Gottlieb in forming a 4×800 relay team that eventually could prove to be the best in the state.

Jefferson High School’s Jasmine Matthews came in third place, with a throw of 27.07.5’, during the Cardinal Classic on Saturday. David Pennock
Chase Brown could be an all-day performer at the state meet because he is able to accumulate points in a number of events, including the 300 hurdles and the high jump.
Justin Gottlieb (800 meters) and Myers (1,600 meters) are state-quality distance runners.
Chase Winbush has shown flashes of his value as a sprinter and Julian Matthews and Jah’Lonnie Hollis are improving veterans in the weight events.
Jefferson’s best pole vaulter has been Antonio Hildalgo.
Both of Jefferson’s teams will be favored to win the Class AAA, Region II meet . . . and if the state meet were to be held today, they would both be watched carefully by any other team with a contending voice in Charleston.
Both teams have depth and a host of versatile athletes — just what is needed at the long and curving path at the state meets.
- Jefferson High School freshman Autumn Livesay came in sixth place at the Cardinal Classic, with a jump of 14.03.75’, on Saturday. David Pennock
- Jefferson High School sophomore Michael Swartz had a time of 51.15’ in the 300 meter hurdles in the Cardinal Classic on Saturday. David Pennock
- Jefferson High School’s Spencer Powell passes the baton to Keyshawn Robinson in the 4 x 100 relay. Jefferson won the relay easily, with a time of 42.24, 0.04 seconds off the state record of 42.20 set by Jefferson in 1992, during Saturday’s Cardinal Classic at Cardinal Stadium in Martinsburg. David Pennock
- Jefferson High School’s Jasmine Matthews came in third place, with a throw of 27.07.5’, during the Cardinal Classic on Saturday. David Pennock