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Cougars disregard weather conditions to record Regional track and field titles

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | May 17, 2024

Jefferson High School senior Jazmyn Taylor crosses the finish line just ahead of Aleesha Johnson, of Musselman High School, and Eva Cragie, of Martinsburg High School, to take first place in the 100 meter dash at the WVSSAC Class AAA — Region 2 Championship on Friday. David Pennock

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION — Chilly and unwanted weather took charge of the annual Class AAA, Region 2 track and field meet held as a forerunner to the always anticipated state meet coming in Charleston.

How much that the raw temperatures harm the individual times, distances and heights, was the question of the day in the aftermath of Jefferson High School’s winning both the girls and boys versions of the seven-school event.

In the boys division, the Cougars ran off to a 90 point team win, scoring a whopping 212 points to runner-up Spring Mills High School’s 122. The Cougar girls had 147.5 points, enough to overcome second-place Musselman High School and its 125 points.

Other Regions had better times and distances in some of Jefferson’s stronghold events, begging the question as to how much the stinging weather actually effected the athletes in Shenandoah Junction.

Rarely seen happenings in any boys meet saw the Cougars sweep first, second and third places in running events.

Inclement weather slowed the times, but senior Keyshawn Robinson still shone in the 400, 209, 100 and 4x100 meter events to pace Jefferson High School’s mens team as the overall winner in the WVSSAC Class AAA — Region 2 Championship on Friday. David Pennock

Agustin Hall, Owen Thompson and Conner Myers claimed the first three spots in the 800 meter race. Myers, Thompson and Reese Hickey had those same finishes in the 1,600 meter race. Hickey, Myers and Thompson were then 1-2-3 in the 3,200 meter race.

Two sprints — the 100 meter and 200 meter — also gave the Cougars more 1-2-3 sweeps as Keyshawn Robinson, Caleb Shelton and Tay’Shaun Roper mastered the field in the 100 meter race and Robinson, Shelton and Tony Allen did the same in the 200 meter race.

Robinson will again be on center stage at the state meet where he was at his best in 2023, even though Huntington High Schoolwas the big-school state champion. He was again the meet winner in the 400 meter race in last week’s chill.

Where the Regions that house Huntington High School, Cabell Midland High School, University High School and Morgantown High School did better with their winning times came in the distance running events.

Jefferson’s relays overpowered the Region where the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×800 four-person relays all posted wins.

Travis Jenkins passes the baton to Conner Myers in the 4x800 meter relay, as Jefferson High School set a personal record of 8:32.67 minutes to place first in the WVSSAC Class AAA - Region 2 Championship on Friday. David Pennock

Azmari Jackson joined the other sprinters in the 4×200 and the 4×800 unit comprised of Travis Jenkins, Shane Burkhardt, Shawn Swartz and Myers proved best in Shenandoah Junction.

There were no 1-2-3 sweeps in the girls division, but Hannah Phillips won both the 800 and 1600 distance races. Jazmyn Taylor likewise had a pair of winning efforts, taking the 100 and long jump.

Samantha Ogden prevailed in her specialty, the pole vault, and the 4×800 relay team with Kameryn Sampson, Mable Cotgreave, Faith Fogelsong and Phillips prevailed in the 4×800 relay.

Arayia Maiben, Jayla Kidrick, Imani Wood and Taylor teamed to post a win in the 4×200 relay.

The 4×400 relay unit bettered the field as Kidrick, Fogelsong, Phillips and Jade Matthews did the honors.

Jefferson High School senior Nolan Meehleib came in second place in discus, with a throw of 132-05 feet, in the WVSSAC Class AAA — Region 2 Championship on Friday. David Pennock

Giving Jefferson second places throughout the day were Nolan Meehleib (discus), the boy’s 4×400 relay, Imani Wood (200) and Peyton Thacker (shot put).

Any athlete not winning a Regional event is unlikely to earn a first place at the featured state spectacle, but in the event of a close team finish any points achieved can decide the entire meet.

With a throw of 33-09 feet, Jefferson High School junior Peyton Thacker takes second place in the WVSSAC Class AAA - Region 2 Championship held on Friday. David Pennock