The Mountain State has survived its first track meet with the new four classification system.

I was wondering how things were going to go last weekend in Charleston and it appears, for the most part, there were overall positive views.

Although I’ve seen people complaining about the extra length of the meet after adding Class AAAA, one of the other issues for some was how tight the team canopy side under the bleachers was in relation to getting around to the bathrooms or concessions.

I can definitely attest to it being a little crowded back there and I also can see the point of those who might not necessarily want to watch two hours of the shuttle hurdle relays.

Of course, only West Virginia and Iowa remain standing when it comes to having the shuttles at their respective state meets.

Personally, after missing last year’s state meet due to back surgery, I was looking forward to the final day of the season at Laidley Field.

Friday turned out to be perfectly fine weather for the ducks, but everyone in attendance last Saturday definitely got a huge break with Mother Nature holding off until the awards ceremonies.

One good thing for us scribes is at least you know going into the state meet there’s zero parking afforded to the media.

After arriving in Charleston and finally finding a place to park about a mile away from the entry point to the stadium, sports editor Jordan Holland and I got out of the car to start the long day.

I had barely removed myself from the front seat to get my things out of the back when I was asked by a friendly gentleman if I was perhaps interested in buying some tennis shoes.

Always a lover of swap meets, yard sales and the like, I responded to the man on the street and asked what size of shoes he had to offer.

He replied by saying he had a size 11 and 13.

While I generally wear a 10.5 or an 11 depending on the style of shoe, I thanked him and told him maybe next time because we had a track meet to get to.

For the most part, our area programs from the Mid-Ohio Valley had a more than strong showing throughout the two-day event.

We had everything from individual and team state champions to unfortunate injuries, which are part of sports.

I was talking to Parkersburg head boys coach Rod O’Donnell the other day and like several folks I’ve seen making comments online, the Big Reds head man had nothing but praise for the new four class system.

While the four classes give student-athletes more of an opportunity to qualify for a state meet and achieve what might be a once in lifetime opportunity, it also brings with it more pressure on everyone running the meet.

However, myself, many online and coach O’Donnell all wholeheartedly agree everyone associated with the meet from the WVSSAC to the countless officials and volunteers deserve a round of applause.

The same goes for our student-athletes, who appreciate the experiences track has afforded them.

“It’s the greatest,” said Ritchie County senior Kellen Cress of the sport. “Even if you focus on basketball, focus on football, come run track.

“It’s going to make you faster. It’s going to make you better and it’s a fun sport. You got to give track a try.”

PHS senior Landen Deuley also had a similar viewpoint.

“My thing is just being involved,” said the Big Red. “You don’t want to miss out on things because you didn’t take a chance, so just really put yourself out there.

“You’re making new memories, new friends. It’s just a really good thing to do for yourself.”

Speaking of something to do for yourself, I’ll have to remember to bring a chair next year for the media tent since those are also not provided.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com