West boys win third straight Times Invitational title

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PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER

October 7, 2007

By Andrew Manzo The Times West Virginian Sun Oct 07, 2007, 12:56 AM EDT

WHITE HALL — Since Chris Neptune took over as head coach, all West Fairmont’s boys’ cross country team has done is defend its home turf at Apple Valley Golf Course.

For the third consecutive year, the Polar Bears ran away from the field to capture the 20th annual Times Invitational Saturday.

And West did so without its top runner David Ciarolla, who is out with a stress fracture in his upper leg. However, that wasn’t about to stop the Polar Bears on this day.

“It hurt at first, but as much as you want to have him in front, it’s only going to make everyone else stronger because they know they’ve got to run harder now,” senior James Haldeman said. “The first few minutes you’re down, but you’ve got to pick right back up. You can’t stay down because if you do, what’s the point of running?”

Without its two-time all-state runner and former Class AAA state champion, West (58) placed its five scorers in the top 19 en route to the team title by 10 points over Hampshire (68).

North Marion ended up third (84) followed by Elkins in fourth, Tucker County fifth, Grafton sixth, East Fairmont seventh, Bridgeport eighth and Buckhannon-Upshur ninth.

“I was glad we beat Hampshire because they’re a top 10 team,” said Neptune, whose Polar Bears are ranked fifth ahead of Hampshire in sixth. “I think it would have been more of a spread at a bigger meet, but I’m pleased overall. I like the way the young guys are running.”

West was paced by Haldeman’s fourth-place finish in 18:07.42 as Hampshire’s John Paul Binotto took the individual title (17:35.44). Elkins’ Alex Zurbuch was second (17:49.83) and Webster’s Skyler McCoy placed third (18:03.9).

“I thought maybe I could get third, but I closed the gap on Zurbuch, who’s been winning a lot of these races,” Haldeman said. “So I’m happy with that. It was my goal to close the gap as much as I could, and that’s what I did.”

After Haldeman, sophomores Gannon Flowers and Patrick Stanton finished ninth (18:44.99) and 14th (19:01.6), respectively.

Those two were followed by freshmen Dayton McVicker in 17th (19:22.83), Joseph Vozniak 19th (19:36.42), Lucas Hilsbos 23rd (19:48.82) and Michael Garcia 35th (20:48.95).

“If you get all of these guys together, and they all do what they’re capable of doing in the same race, we are a very tough team,” Neptune said. “I’m sure every coach says that, but it’s especially true for our team this year.”

Larry Mason’s Huskies were led by juniors Zach Tennant and Jeremy Gouzd in seventh (18:40.46) and eighth (18:41.17), respectively.

Also for North Marion, Neil Bland placed 18th (19:24.43), Garrett Glover 20th (19:40.92), Tyson Wolfe 37th (21:02.05), Kenny Burnley 40th (21:18.03) and Chad Efaw 44th (21:48.71).

For Alice Muto’s Bees, Trey Stoller was the top finisher in 15th (19:06.68) followed by Michael Ebbert in 26th (19:57.74), Hunter Wood 32nd (20:31.9), Travis Alkire 41st (21:22.49), Ross Ramage 48th (22:25.18), Tommy McDaniel 58th (24:55.53) and Logan Carpenter 63rd (28:38.67).

E-mail Andrew Manzo at dmanzo@timeswv.com.

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