As of press time, high school springs sports events and practices had been postponed until April 10. That announcement came as the finishing touches were being put on the Spring Sports preview. We have decided publish these previews in order to highlight Hardy County’s high school athletes, should no opportunity exist later.
Moorefield Track and Field has a plethora of talented athletes hitting the asphalt, fields and sand with a powerful sting to swarm to the state track meet in Charleston after the pandemic ceases and six have state experience from last season to guide the way back.
Moorefield Girls Track coach is Vivian Carr and the Moorefield Boys Track coach is Linda Wright.
Moorefield Girls Track have two returning with state meet experience as senior Sydney Gribble (shuttle hurdles) and sophomore Taylor Harvey (100, 200) are paving the path.
Moorefield Boys Track athletes with state meet experience are seniors Jackson Weese (4×100, three-time qualifier), Paxton Coby (4×100, two-time qualifier), Seth Wilson (shot put), Riley Hedrick (discus) and sophomore Dylan Strawderman (4×100).
Yellow Jackets senior Matthew Weatherholt (4×800) was a state qualifier two years ago, so that experience will be useful in directing the team as well.
“My guys have just one goal to medal at the state meet this year. They are working hard to make that happen. This is my first year coaching, so I am letting my senior boys be the leaders,” Moorefield Boys Track coach Linda Wright said.
Moorefield Boys Track and Field competitors this season are: Paxton Coby, senior sprinter co-captain and captain of the hurdlers; Jackson Weese, senior sprinter; Riley Hedrick, senior thrower co-captain; Shenandoah University commit and senior thrower co-captain Seth Wilson; Matt Weatherholt, senior thrower; Rodney Wratchford, senior long jumper; Aidan Richardson, senior thrower; Jason Kenyon, first-year senior sprinter; juniors – Skyler Ratcliff, David Myers, Russell Coon, Kobey Wymer, Dequavious Kornegay; sophomores – Malachi Zirk, Dean Keplinger, Jaxen Ratcliff, Mason Ratcliff, Dylan Strawderman, Levi Thompson; freshmen – Ryan Mongold, J.J. Carr, Kelton Barb, Layne Spitzer, Cameron Newhouse, Finan Grmay, Felix Soto, Micah Shirk, Levi Howard, Tyler Kessel and Finan Teklom.[private]
Spitzer won two gold medals (shuttles, 100 hurdles) in the Potomac Valley League Championship last season as a member of the Moorefield Middle School Track team proving his hurdling talent will be beneficial at this level.
“Planning on bringing all my relay teams to state and medaling. Leading by example and hoping to inspire the younger runners. Ready to Show everyone what Moorefield Track is all about,” Moorefield Boys Track senior Paxton Coby remarked.
“We are kind of a big deal and we’re just gonna send it. Nobody likes us except for us, and we’re fine with that.”
The captains of the team are teaching proper technique and encouraging each member of the team to bolster success for the season.
“Our team shows some promise in competing in most events. We have some work to do to be strong, but with hard work and dedication we could have several state qualifiers. First is to get our season back on track and get this virus behind us,” Moorefield Girls Track coach Vivian Carr stated.
The Moorefield Girls Track and Field team will be guided by four seniors – Laila Spitzer (hurdles), Cassie Mooney (sprinter), Rachel Hesse (thrower), Makenzie Wratchford (hurdler, long jump) and Sydney Gribble (hurdles); juniors – Alexandria Wyman (hurdles, high jump), Alexis Helman (hurdles), Lisa Barr (thrower), Alexis Barb (thrower); sophomores – Makenzie Keplinger (distance), Lily Iman (thrower), Sage Dean (sprinter), Laken Delawder (distance, high jump), Grace Wratchford (distance), Taylor Harvey (sprinter), Madilyn Crites (sprinter), Suaneysha Soto-Cordero (sprinter), Amaya Redman (long jump, distance), Liliana Cisneros (thrower), Rachel Smith (distance); freshmen – Sarah Weatherholt (thrower), Ashley Barb (thrower), Jayden Crites (sprinter), Amani Roberto (sprinter), Maria Pena (sprinter), Teia Ray (sprinter, hurdles) and Breanna Dean (sprinter, long jump).
Green (4×100, shuttles), Ray (4×100, shuttles) and Roberto (4×100) won first place medals in the Potomac Valley League Championship last season as members of the Moorefield Middle School Track team, so their talent is quite promising stepping up to the high school ranks as sprinters and hurdlers.
“Track is a stepping stone for running through life to chase your dreams,” Moorefield senior Sydney Gribble noted.
The Yellow Jackets are working overtime to gear up for a successful track season with a hopeful start soon and to finish with state medals.
“Track has taught me that if you put in work and effort, you will reach your goals,” Moorefield senior Makenzie Wratchford concluded.
On a fun note, sophomores Makenzie Keplinger, Laken Delawder and Grace Wratchford compared track to the movie “Cars” – “Track is exactly like the “Cars” move. Lightning has to realize he needs his whole team to win the race. Kachow. I am speed.”
Moorefield Track is expected to start the season at East Hardy on April 16 after the hiatus.
The Yellow Jackets have two home meets currently viable on April 21 and April 30.
Moorefield will travel to Frankfort on April 23 and visit Keyser on April 28.
[/private]The Potomac Valley Conference Track Championship is at Keyser on May 6 and the Region II Championship will be on May 14 with the State Meet set for May 22-23 with all of this pending due to the coronavirus shutdown.