(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

MORGANTOWN — The Parkersburg High School boys track team had a strong runner-up showing behind University during Saturday’s Mountaineer Showcase at West Virginia University.

Landen Deuley claimed individual golds in the 200 (23.11) and the 400, where his clocking of 50.12 established a new meet record set last year by Morgantown’s Keion Arnold, who posted a 50.27 to take runner-up on Saturday after finishing at 50.73 in 2024.

Deuley also anchored the victorious 4×4 that clocked in with a record-breaking mark of 3:30.94 thanks to the help of teammates AJ Payne (7th, 400, 52.35), Christian Rutherford (4th, 800, 2:02.84) and Jackson Wharton (3rd, 800, 2:00.63). University’s Colton Guthrie, Ryan Blohm, Rocco DeVincent and Drew Zundell held the mark of 3:33.20 since 2022.

The Big Reds, who amassed 107.5 points to finish ahead of Morgantown’s 95 but behind the Hawks’ winning total of 128, also had a runner-up effort in the 4×8 thanks to Lucas Jenkins, Anthony Herrera, Caden Moat and Rogan Mincks crossing in 8:15.73.

“Good balance as a team,” admitted PHS coach Rod O’Donnell, who added “very good performance and improving, but so is everyone else.”

Javel Chandler was runner-up in the high jump (5-10) behind Parkersburg South champ Navi Hewitt, who cleared 6 feet, 4 inches. Patriot teammate Jordan Foster set a meet record in the 110 high hurdles as his 15.19 erased the 16.10 set in 2023 by Linsly’s Colby Gibbons. Foster placed third in the 300 hurdles (41.44) while Big Red Jay Bowling was runner-up to University’s Jaedyn Katchur, 40.26 to 41.17. Chandler, who was fifth with a time of 42.49, took seventh in the 110s.

PHS also received scoring efforts by Ethan Dela Cruz, who was runner-up in the long jump (19-9.75) and eighth in the 100 (11.81), as well as from Alex Greer (T4th, pole vault, 10-6), Walker Jones (5th, 1600, 4:33.69), Connor George (4th, 3200, 9:48.08; 6th, 1600, 4:34.88), Jon Ash (5th, shot put, 42-3.75) and Andrew Shafer (7th, discus, 125-8).

Tyler Consolidated’s Amos Kimble finished the 3200 in 9:41.06, but had to settle for second behind Frankfort’s Ryan Hughes (9:23.48).

Roane County’s Brandon Charles cleared 10 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault to tie for second while South’s Zach Plotner took sixth after clearing 10 feet.

The Raider girls had a pair of second-place showings from Josie Cox, who went 16.15 in the 100 hurdles and 48.50 in the 300s. South’s Addison White was third in the 300s (48.58), ahead of teammate Kylie Tallman (7th, 51.32), and took fifth in the 100s (16.86) as Silver Knight Lily Dillaman placed seventh (17.32).

Cox managed a sixth-place showing in the pole vault after clearing 6-6, but finished behind teammate Kacie Mace (3rd, 7-6) and fifth-place Silver Knight Ralynn Heintzman (7-0).

South’s Kymani Prince (6th, 100, 12.96; 6th, long jump, 15-10.75) had a pair of podium efforts. Also scoring from the area were Tyler Consolidated’s Zoe Fisher (3rd, discus, 92-5), Silver Knight Addison Blosser (7th, long jump, 15-7.75) and Braxton County’s Leah Payne (7th, 800, 2:35.17).

PHS wins Cardinal Classic

The long trek Friday to the Eastern Panhandle and Spring Mills High School resulted in a team title when everything was said and done for the Parkersburg girls track team.

Despite not being at full strength, the Big Reds had a double-winner thanks to Morgan Metz, who won the 1600 (5:22.27) and the 3200 (11:23.67). Nevaeh Ross had one of the numerous red and white PRs as her effort of 47.72 in the 300 hurdles earned her a first-place showing.

PHS, which also got a runner-up throw of 108 feet, 6 inches in the discus from Bella Bowman, posted a 125-5 to 102 victory ova second-place Musselman.

“With all the personal records set Friday night we believe we are on the right track. It was a nice change in scenery to get to run against athletes from the Eastern Panhandle and it was a fun experience for our team,” noted coach PHS coach Lia Fleek, who also was impressed with her relays.

“The coaching staff has been working on putting our best relays together, so we have been trying different girls in different spots throughout the season, as well as working to find which event(s) these athletes will find the most success.”

Thea Bordeaux (3rd, 400, 1:02.71), Allison Poole, Olivia Carpenter and Katie Rutherford (4th, 800, 2:28.74; 4th, 1600, 5:42.44) ended the meet by placing second in the 4×4 with a 4:20.62.

PHS also had runner-up efforts in the 4×8 (10:15.93) with Calli Angelos (6th, 800, 2:32.04), Carpenter, Audrey Wagoner (4th, 3200, 12:21.72) and Bordeaux as well as in the shuttles (1:11.58) thanks to Ashlyn Morris, Chloe Gribble (4th, 100H, 18.16; 7th, high jump, 4-6), Poole and Ross.

TC Allen went 16-7.5 in the long jump and Ava Sayre cleared 4 feet 10 inches in the high jump, which were both good for bronze.

The Big Reds also were aided in their team title thanks to Ellie Hines (5th, 800, 2:31.11), Peyton Louden (5th, shot put, 31-9.25), Olivia Eakle (T5th, high jump, 4-6) and Makayla House (7th, pole vault, 7-6).