McKenna Smith torches W. Va. sprint records

State Meet Highlights

- Junior McKenna Smith, of Bridgeport (photo above by Jon Griffith), was the athlete of the meet, breaking West Virginia's all-time records in the 100 (11.89), 200 (24.37) and 400 (55.25). She won Class 2A title in all of those events, plus the 300 hurdles (44.03). Her win in the 400 was particularly impressive, taking nearly two seconds off the old meet record. Smith led Bridgeport to the team championship.

- The girls of Winfield broke the 3A meet record in the 4x800 relay, winning in 9:30.56.

- Safiyyah Mitchell of Huntington broke the meet record and her own all-time state record in the 3A 300 hurdles with 43.10. She also won the 100 Hurdles in 14.41 and the 200 in 25.67.

- Senior Tristan Slater from Capital set won the 3A pole vault with a clearance at 16-0.

- Cody Mitchell of Point Pleasant won the Discus with a throw of 173-6.

- University HS had strong wins in the distance races. The boys won the 3A 4x800 in 7:57.34. On the girls side, TaShala Turner led a 1-2-3 sweep of the 3,200 in 10:55.72. Sarah Wills won the 1,600 in 5:04.87 with Turner just behind.

- Weir HS boys broke the 2A meet record in the Shuttle Hurdles (4x102.5m) with a 1:04.72 clocking.

- In the 1A boys competition, six meet records were broken. Nathan Stout of Gilmer County surpassed the meet records in the discus (167-0) and shot put (59-8.25). Anthony Johnson of Saint Marys ran a record and the weekend's top time in the 300 hurdles (38.81). Freddy Canary of South Harrison broke the meet records in the 100 (10.92) and 200 (22.10). To finish the meet, Wheeling Central Catholic broke the 4x400 relay record in 3:31.30 

- For the girls, five 1A meet records were broken. From Williamstown, senior Melissa Cieslewski threw the Discus 126-5 and junior Ellie Gardner cleared 11-3 in the pole vault. Senior Hannah Carreon of Clay-Battelle broke the 100 hurdles meet record with her 14.76 clocking. Wheeling Central Catholic show they were tops in the relays with meet records in the 4x100 relay (50.62) and 4x400 relay (4:13.40).

Top Teams:

Cabell Midland won the 3A boys team title with 71 points. Winfield, led by its 4x800 relay, took the girls championship with 83 points.