WEST UNION – The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneer track and field relay teams continue to excel early in the season as they won all five events at the Doddridge County Invitational Friday night.
Earning the relay wins were Taiwo Thropp, Savion Farmer, Sterlin Thropp and Shawn Blandino in the 4×100 (46.21), Sterlin Thropp, Dirk Riley, Camden Snyder and Taiwo Thropp in the 4×200 (1:38.44), Sterlin Thropp, Blandino, Julien Larcher, and Jordan Gillum in the 4×400 (3:43.51), Gillum, Larcher. Reis Leonard and Jack Waggy in the 4×800 (8:39.84) and Chase Hackett, Leonard, Zade Woody and Carter Zuliani in the 4×110 shuttle hurdles (1:10.72).
Overall, the Bucs claimed nine events as they picked up four individual wins as well on a miserable night in West Union.
“High winds and pelting rains made our 18 events very difficult,” remarked Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Patty Wager. “Doddridge County probably has the most stunning facility anywhere around in the tri-state area and they were wonderful hosts but the weather was atrocious.”
Picking up the individual wins were Blandino in the 400-meter dash (51.63), Gillum in the 1600-meter run (4:47.09), Dalton Crites in the shot put (40-04) and Dirk Riley in the discus (116-00).
“Our team has some of the premiere times right now in the state,” said Wager. “I, along with the team, are absolutely thrilled with their results.”
The nine wins allowed the Bucs to claim first place in the 11-team field as they compiled 159 points.
Host Doddridge County was second with 144 points while North Marion was third with 66 and Preston was fourth with 56.
The Bucs earned four runner-up spots as Taiwo Thropp was second in the 100-meter dash (11.97), Blandino in the 200-meter dash (24.07), Sterlin Thropp in the 400-meter dash (51.89) and Leonard in the 300-meter hurdles (45.65).
Buckhannon-Upshur collected two third places as Hackett took third in the 300-meter hurdles (47.13) and Landon Zirkle in the pole vault (9-06).
“I was so proud of Landon for even competing in the pole vault in those conditions,” noted Wager. “Our throwers did a great job too. They were facing into the wind but they still prevailed. I can honestly tell you the results did not reflect the nastiness of Mother Nature.”
The Bucs will be back in action on Tuesday, April 5 in a home meet.
For complete results of the meet, please click here.
