PARKERSBURG - When the series began two decades ago, it was the Patriots from Parkersburg South that dominated the early dual against crosstown rival Parkerburg in the annual cross country race that preceded the football contest between the two schools.
However, it was the red and white's day to shine on Friday night at Stadium Field as seniors Nick Musgrave and Kaylee Williams led the Big Reds to a sweep in what may very well be the last dual between the two as next year's football contest is slated to be held the last week of the season.
The Big Red boys finished with a 15-50 win over Parkersburg South while the girls scored a 17-46 win. The overall score was 32-96 in favor of Parkersburg.
"If it is (the final meeting), then I feel really privileged to win it," said Williams, who covered the 3.1-mile course in 19 minutes, 23.9 seconds. "My goal was to win it my senior year. It means a lot. It's the one meet where everybody -parents, friends and classmates -come to it."
Williams led a one-two-three finish by the hosts as Nicole Dent (19:58.1) and Rachel Morris (20:07.7) crossed the finish line ahead of the Patriots' number one runner, April Kirk (20:40.0).
The next four runners belonged to PHS as Jordan Waters was fifth (21:19.5), Alena Klimas was sixth (21:29.9), Swathi Mukkamala seventh (21:43.9) and JD White eighth (22:06.7). The Patriots' Rachel Teter (22:12.6) and Parkersburg's Mary Catherine Bolton (22:15.6) rounded out the Top 10.
Fact Box
PHS/PSHS DUAL
at Stadium Field
Overall Results: Parkersburg 32, Parkersburg South 96
Boys Team Results: Parkersburg High School 15; Parkersburg South High School 50.
Individuals: 1. Nick Musgrave, PHS, 16:35.1; 2. Sean Snider, PHS, 17:25.3; 3. John Bolton, PHS, 17:29.8; 4. Nic Cheuvront, PHS, 17:40.3; 5. Anthony Kist, PHS, 17:44.6; 6. Brandon McIntire, PHS, 17:50.0; 7. Logan Wooten, PHS, 17:56.4; 8. Haydn Dudley, PHS, 17:59.5; 9. Logan Dudley, PHS, 18:01.6; 10. Justin Thompson, PS, 18:03.4; 11. Derek Dillon, PS, 18:20.4; 12. Andrew Lyons, PHS, 18:40.8; 13. Tyler Morris, PHS, 18:41.3; 14. Elliott Clark, PHS, 18:44.0; 15. Trenton Allman, PHS, 18:52.1; 16. Riley Wines, PS, 19:02.1; 17. Kyle Sams, PS, 19:04.4; 18. Erik Musgrave, PHS, 19:05.6; 19. Austin Miller, PHS, 19:07.3; 20. Alec Bryant, PHS, 19:18.5; 21. Alex Kirk, PS, 19:22.7; 22. Trea Sargent, PS, 19:36.0; 23. Trent Yocum, PHS, 19:36.3; 24. Noah Mancuso, PHS, 19:47.4; 25. Evan Clark, PS, 20:12.3; 26. Tanner Kreig, PS, 20:39.0; 27. Dakota Robinson, PS, 20:45.1; 28. Jericho Norris, PHS, 20:55.6; 29. Andrew Mommessin, PHS, 21:18.1; 30. Alex Baumgartner, PHS, 21:55.7; 31. Jarrett Stengel, PHS, 22:20.0; 32. Rafael Perri, PS, 27:45.9.
Girls Team Results: Parkersburg High School 17; Parkersburg South High School 46.
Individuals: 1. Kaylee Williams, PHS, 19:23.9; 2. Nicole Dent, PHS, 19:58.1; 3. Rachel Morris, PHS, 20:07.7; 4. April Kirk, PS, 20:40.0; 5. Jordan Waters, PHS, 21:19.5; 6. Alena Klimas, PHS, 21:29.9; 7. Swathi Mukkamala, PHS, 21:43.9; 8. JD White, PHS, 22:06.7; 9. Rachel Teter, PS, 22:12.6; 10. Mary Catherine, PHS, 22:15.6; 11. Emily Collins, PHS, 22:16.0; 12. Chelsea Harper, PHS, 22:17.3; 13. Hannah Bailey, PHS, 22:22.9; 14. Kayla Harmon, PHS, 22:23.3; 15. Sarah Snider, PHS, 22:44.0; 16. Beth Hall, PHS, 23:03.8; 17. Lakyn Mayo, PHS, 23:09.5; 18. Brooke McVaney, PHS, 23:16.3; 19. Katie Collins, PHS, 23:18.6; 20. Jennifer Parsons, PHS, 23:41.3; 21. Kaileen Terrell, PHS, 23:50.3; 22. Lacey Heiden, PS, 24:24.9; 23. Caitlyn Ohrn, PHS, 24:40.9; 24. Alyssa Miller, PS, 24:55.7; 25. Hannah Parsons, PS, 24:56.7; 26. Havenn Burton, PHS, 25:26.9; 27. Madi Edwards, PS, 25:53.6; 28. Madison Asbury, PHS, 26:31.8; 29. Kayleigh Terrell, PS, 26:56.3; 30. Julia Church, PS, 27:02.2; 31. Allie Kramer, PHS, 27:03.1; 32. Maggie Baumgartner, PHS, 27:21.9; 33. Maranda Davis, PS, 27:27.4; 34. Mari Kaaen, PS, 28:28.1.
The boys' race wasn't that close.
Musgrave, who led from start to finish, crossed the finish line located at the 50-yard line in 16 minutes, 35.1 seconds and was followed by teammates Sean Snider (17:25.3), John Bolton (17:29.8), Nic Cheuvront (17:40.3), Anthony Kist (17:44.6), Brandon McIntire (17:50.0), Logan Wooten (17:56.4), Hayden Dudley (17:59.5), and Logan Dudley (18:01.6).
The only Patriot runner to crack the Top 10 was Justin Thompson (18:03.4).
"It was about what I expected, but you never know how kids are going to react in a rivalry race," said PHS head coach Larry Games. "But, we ran well."
Since the course was recertified making it an actual 3.1-mile race, the times posted by Musgrave and Williams will go down as course records.
"It's really awesome," said Musgrave. "I hope it's not the last year. This (race) is very important to both schools."
A feeling echoed by both coaches.
"I'm extremely proud of my kids," said South head coach Jason Evans. "They gave me everything they had tonight. We (both coaches) don't want this to be the last race. We are going to try everything we can to keep it going in some manner."
Just what that manner will be won't be known until next season, however.
"We will sit down with our administrators and see what we can do to keep it going," said Games. "We might have to run it before another game. But, we want to continue the tradition."
And, the winning ways.
