After runner-up finishes last season, Jefferson track and field refocuses
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Jefferson High School swept to both the boy’s and girl’s Regional track and field championships in 2022. And then, both teams finished second at the Class AAA State Meet in Charleston.
Morgantown High School was the girl’s state winner, finishing with 96 points, as compared with Jefferson’s 74 points. It was University High School winning the boy’s division with 93 points, in comparison with Jefferson’s 88 points.
The Jefferson girls had hurdlers Hope Gestl, Briauna Goins, T’Asya Jay and Elizabeth Marrs getting points in a hurdles relay.
Goins was also able to get points in the shot put.
Jefferson’s sprinters included Lorelei Bangit in the 200, 400 and 4×100 relay. Jayla Kidrick, Arayia Maiben and Myah Powell-Utley had success in the sprints.
In the distance races, Faith Fogelsong did well in the 1,600 run.
Jefferson’s boys threw their usual points-gathering sprinters at the rest of the state.
Keyshawn Robinson finished second in the 100 at the State Meet. He ran on the state-winning 4×100 relay unit along with Caleb Shelton and Isaiah Fritts.
Another sprinter — Tay’Shaun Roper — also has gained points for the Cougars in the long jump.
Jefferson has often been a force in the sprint relays — 4×100, 4×200 and at times, even the 4×400.
Justin Gottlieb, Christian Gottlieb and sophomore Connor Myers have been trusted distance runners in the past.
Those three were part of the 4×800 relay unit that reaped points.
In winning the state championship in the boy’s division last spring, University showed off its cadre of points-gathering distance runners.
Depth in several events can and does win state championships where an individual first place is worth 10 points, second place gets eight points and a third place is worth six team points.
No other school was even close to Jefferson’s bounty of points in last year’s Regional, but then Morgantown and University grabbed the state honors.