KINGWOOD – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc cross-country team is heading to the state championship meet after a strong performance Thursday at the Region I Championships at Preston High School.

The top three teams and top 11 individuals earned a berth to the state championship and the Lady Bucs finished third in the loaded Region I field.

The Lady Bucs amassed 88 points.

Morgantown won the team title with 20 points while University was runner-up with 59.

It’s the first appearance in the state meet for the Lady Bucs since 2014.

“The girls ran a fantastic race against some really good competition,” stated Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Taylor Stacy. “We were ranked fourth in the region going into the race so we knew it would take our best effort to make states. Kudos to the girls on doing just that and running their best race of the year. We had personal records all around.”

Samantha Shreve was the top Lady Buc runner placing ninth with a time of 20:57.06.

Three other Lady Bucs placed in the top 20 as Mia Sappey ran 13^th (21:40.62), Jessica Williams placed 14^th (21:47.72) and Miah Reger finished 19^th (22:21.56).

Malia Bowers rounded out the scoring for the Lady Bucs running 33^rd with a time of 24:31.09.

The rest of the B-U line-up was Pressley Bowers placing 34^th (24:39.66) and Harlee Gillum taking 46^th (28:14.72).

“The girls have worked for this goal since June so to see it all come together is something special,” noted Stacy. “Upshur County should be proud to have this group of athletes representing them at states. I love this team, and I am so happy to see them accomplish this goal together. They deserve all the praise and then some.”

The Lady Bucs will compete at states this Saturday, Oct. 30, at Cabell Midland High School.

The results:

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Morgantown 20; 2. University 59; 3. Buckhannon-Upshur 88; 4. Preston 102; 5. Bridgeport 156; 6. John Marshall 157; 7. Wheeling Park 162.

INDIVIDUAL TOP 5

1. Irene Riggs (Morgantown) – 18:40.28.
2. Allie Martin (Preston) – 19:17.12.
3. Lea Hatcher (Morgantown) – 19:31.00.
4. Sophie Renner (Morgantown) – 20:03.47.
5. Jennifer Opalko (Morgantown) – 20:07.24.

LADY BUC RESULTS

Samantha Shreve (9^th) – 20:57.06.

Mia Sappey (13^th) – 21:40.62.

Jessica Williams (14^th) – 21:47.72

Miah Reger (19^th) – 22:21.56.

Malia Bowers (33^rd) – 24:31.09.

Pressley Bowers (34^th) – 24:39.66.

Harlee Gillum (46^th) – 28:14.72.