The West Virginia State High School Cross Country Meet was held on Oct. 31 at Cabell Midland High School, with participants from all over the state competing.

Locally, one athlete qualified to compete at the meet, Tyler Consolidated senior, Aaron Estep.

“It had rained all week in Barboursville, and the course showed it,” said head coach of Tyler Consolidated’s Cross Country team, Jan Wells. “The athletes were covered from head to toe in mud when they came across the finish line and there were actually a few shoes that were left throughout the course because of the conditions.”

“The rain stopped just in time for the class AA-A races. Senior Aaron Estep was one of 83 participants in the boys’ AA-A race. With a number of proud Tyler Consolidated supporters cheering him on, Aaron managed to finish the race in 25th position with a time of 18:40.”

Drew Woodford of Grafton High School was the first place finisher in the boys race with a time of 17:09, while Matt Knowlton of Ravenswood High School finished in fourth place with a time of 17:45. The Magnolia High School Boys placed sixth with their team consisting of Nathan Harshberger, Alec Hinerman, Joe Feeney, Bill Feeney and James Haught.

The Class AA-A Girls 5K was won by Freshman Maggie Drazba of St. Marys High School with her time of 20:08, who had a big lead over second place finisher Molly Summers of Grafton High School with her time of 20:24.

The St. Marys High School Girls Team won the meet with their team consisting of Maggie Drazba, Ali Johnson, Beverly Knight, Dani Renner and Kelsea Fickiesen.