Morgantown, Philip Barbour Put Win Streaks on Line

After a team wins a game or championship, it wants to win again. And then again.

Morgantown and Philip Barbour will look to extend state championship winning streaks today as West Virginia’s top cross country runners converge on Cabell Midland.

Philip Barbour Aims to Run Win Streak to Four

“They definitely talk about it,” Philip Barbour coach Melissa Kaiser said of her girls’ team and its opportunity to win a fourth title in a row. “They drive the boys (team) crazy with it.”

Kaiser’s Colts kicked off their Class AA-A championship run in 2010 in impressive fashion. Powered by individual champion Sarah McCauley, the lone senior in the lineup, Philip Barbour had three runners in the top 13 and scored just 62 points as runner-up Shady Spring had 120. What made the victory even more impressive was the rest of the starting roster included three freshmen, a sophomore and two juniors.

A return to the top spot on the podium in 2011 was secured as the Colts again had three runners in the top 13, with Katie Mahoney and Brianna Waybright finishing fourth and fifth. Philip Barbour finished with 67, besting St. Marys’ 80 points.

A year ago, Philip Barbour had Waybright in third followed by Allison Villers and Marissa Long in fifth and sixth, respectively, to give the Colts just enough for state title No. 3. Their 75 points edged Frankfort by just six.

When the Class AA-A race gets under way at 1 p.m. in Ona, the Colts will have experience on their side as three of Kaiser’s top four runners will be racing the 3.1-mile layout for the eighth and final time in their high school careers.

“That’s always a plus,” the coach said, noting that her squad’s proficiency on hills also will be a bonus today.

The Colts also should get a boost from the expected return of senior Katie Mahoney, who has not raced since mid-September.

Mohigans Out for Another Solid Performance

In Class AAA, Mike Ryan’s Mohigans will be focused on running well again in the state’s most important meet and not specifically on extending their win streak.

“We really haven't made a big deal about the opportunity of a three-peat,” Ryan said. “Our focus all year has been to run well at the state championships. We tend to take that approach every year, and this year has not been any different.

“Of course, the experience the girls have gained over the last two years will help them this weekend. All the girls know and respect the tradition of success the Morgantown cross country team has had, but they also want to make their own mark in their own way.”

The current Mohigans are looking to match a feat that Morgantown squads completed in 2004-6 and Fairmont Senior accomplished in 1996-8.

Then freshman Victoria Cooke and sophomore Sydney Pineault led Morgantown to the first championship in this streak, going 1-2 in the 2011 Class AAA race as the Mohigans scored 38 points to rival University’s 55. In 2012, the Mohigans dominated the state meet, placing the scoring five in the top 10 and all seven runners in the top 20 of the AAA race. Overall runner-up Brynn Harshbarger, who is now running at West Virginia, was the only graduate from a squad that scored just 30 points to University’s 90 in second.

“It's everything to us this year,” Ryan said of keeping the Mohigans running close together. “Our success is based on strong pack running. The girls run together in packs at practice and are comfortable doing it.

“They push each other quite well. I would image it's also a little intimidating to the competition when three girls wearing white and blue uniforms run up beside you.”

In breaking down today’s race on the 5,000-meter layout, Ryan said his team hits its comfort zone once the course heads uphill.

“Our girls feel more comfortable moving up as the race progresses,” he said. “They don't like to get out too fast. The big hill around 1200 meters into the race is a bit of an equalizer. It will definitely slow down individuals that went out fast. My athletes really like the rolling hills in the upper sections.”