Doddridge County boys win Class A title, girls claim 2nd

It was decided by the final event, too, as Doddridge County’s first-place win and Ritchie County’s sixth-place slot in the 4x400-meter relay cemented the Bulldogs’ place at the top of the podium, 86-80.

Talyn Snyder, Caleb Lloyd, Elisha Galagar and Leo Stinespring brought it home in 3:37.13, nipping St. Marys’ 3:37.16 at the finish line.

“We knew it could come down to that last race,” Doddridge County coach Bobby Burnside said. “It was back and forth. We really had a big day yesterday to put us into position and make it tight.”

Stinespring won the 200-meter dash in 22.62 seconds, beating St. Marys’ Josh Roush’s time of 23.03 seconds.

Stinespring was also second in the 100-meter dash in a photo finish to Roush, 11.352 to 11.360.

Seth Richards claimed third in the 300-meter hurdles for the Bulldogs in 42.74 seconds.

Trent Gola was fourth in the 1600-meter run in 4:41.48.

Adam Burnside’s throw of 45-03 in the shot put placed him third.

The Bulldogs got a second-place finish in the 4x100 meter relay from Elisha Galagar, Jaycent Ash, Talyn Snyder and Stinespring in 45.53 seconds.

DCHS’s 4x200 meter relay of Elisha Galagar, Richards, Snyder and Ash finished in 1:35.24, good for fourth place.

The shuttle hurdles relay of Kaden Smith, Riley Curran, Gabriel Bates and Richards placed fourth in 1:04.03.

“Every single point mattered,” coach Burnside said. “In the end, we had to dig deep. We were tired, but got the victory in exciting fashion.”

The Bulldog girls were second with 88 points as Williamstown dominated with 148.

Abby McDonough broke the school record and won the pole vault by clearing 10 feet, a foot better than Williamstown’s Emma Berman. The Bulldogs’ Anna Trent and Yellowjackets’ Madelyn Anderson tied for third at J9-00.

“There’s so much adrenaline going through my body, because the highest I got was 9-06,” McDonough said of her mindset entering the winning vault. “Clearing 10 was huge for me on the first try.

“I just got 10 twice this week in practice, so I was definitely ready to clear 10 today, but definitely not expecting on the first try.”

McDonough started her day with a third-place finish in the 300 meter hurdles in 49.07 seconds and later was fourth in the 100 meter hurdles in 17.43 seconds.

“I was super excited with my performance,” McDonough said. “I’ve been stressing out a little bit.”

Faith Galagar was second in the long jump with a best of 16-00.75.

Lexie Lamb claimed second in the 800 meter run in 2:21.05, trailing only a state-record 2:17.42 from Williamstown’s Alyssa Sauro, and was also runner-up in the 1600 meter run in 5:04.04.

The Bulldogs’ last relay of the day was their best: Catherine Cottrill, Faith Galagar, Carrie Lloyd and Lamb brought home second in the 4x400 in 4:28.23.

Anna Trent, Carrie Lloyd, Payton Currey and Faith Galagar ran third in the 4x100 in 53.56 seconds. Bailey Holden, Emily Gola, Cassie Cumberledge and Cottrill were third in the 4x800 relay in 10:36.06.

Trent, Carrie Lloyd, Molley Ezell and McDonough brought home third in the shuttle hurdles in 1:13.13.

The Bulldogs’ 4x200 meter relay of Trent, Lloyd, Currey and Faith Galagar ran fourth in 1:53.23.

South Harrison was a strong seventh with 20 points, including a state title in the discus for Shellie Baughman.

“I’m glad I made it, because I worked my butt off to be here,” Baughman laughed.

Baughman’s best of 109-07 was nearly five feet in front of Buffalo’s Lilly Wyant.

“I wanted to PR so badly, even if it was my last throw,” Baughman said. “The real competition is yourself, so I wanted to rip it. I wanted at least a 114.”

Between throws, Baughman was active and vocal, supporting the other throwers.

“When it’s really quiet, you start getting in your head. It’s better if you and the other girls react to each other’s throws and just be supportive. That’s really the best thing you can have,” Baughman said.