2nd Annual Running with the Rams has a Change of Venue

When Tom and I purchased Ohio Valley Athletics, one of the reasons why was the love that the Ohio Valley has for sports and for the kids that play them. This was on display this past weekend in St. Clairsville. Sherrard was set to host their 2^nd Annual Ohio Valley Athletics Running with the Rams Invitational on April 20^th, but Mother Nature had other plans. John Marshall Stadium was unfortunately flooded and wouldn’t be ready in time for their meet. The first year was such a success and Ashley West (Running with the Rams organizer) and John Marshall coaches Mitch Burkett and Jim Taylor did not want to cancel with 13 teams participating. I said let me reach out to Justin Clifford, St. Clairsville’s Athletic Director, to see if we can use their facility. I do not think I got “Justin, I need a big favor,” out of my mouth before he said yes. Not only this, but Justin also told me that he was not going to charge a rental fee. And was apologetic that he would not be able to provide many workers, seeing that they were not hosting anything that weekend and most people had made plans.

So now the work had to be done to host this meet at a different location on less than 2 weeks’ notice. Coach West got on the phone to get Ideal Provisions to provide hot food for spectators, participants, and workers. And did they ever, the food was delicious, as can be attested by the number of people I saw chowing down on the good eats. Coach Nick Myers called upon his parents to help once again this year. Coaches Burkett and Taylor brought JM’s timing system with them that morning, got it setup and running, not without its own scare (a little lack of power). And these two men timed and staged all the running events to make the meet go as smoothly as I have seen a track meet run. Justin gave me the “keys to the city” and said whatever you guys need, it’s yours to use. St. Clairsville’s trainer Cait Tomczyk came over to get everything available for us in her training room, she even made herself available to us in case we would need anything. Justin’s Saturday’s plans changed, and he too made himself available all day, if we needed anything. Many Sherrard parents stepped up as well whether it be helping with the field events, getting hurdles prepared, or taking money at the gate, or whatever needed done. Coaches Monica Klamut and Justin Kotson helped keep the team in order, along with helping get hurdles on and off the track. Behind the scenes Mallory Fordyce organized all the awards for the place winners.

This though is what the Valley is about. Not only is it helping your neighbor in a time of need. It is doing whatever we can to help kids and make the event memorable for them. This event would not have been possible without the help of so many. I have missed some in the process, but their help was much appreciated as well. I cannot forget though that smooth voice on the mic, Donnie Gilbert provided on the day.

Though, I should digress and talk about some of the track and field results of our local athletes on the day. Sherrard’s Dalton Cooper stole the show. Cooper won the high point scorer on the boys’ side for the day in dominating the competition in both the field and on the track. Cooper won the 100M (11.65), the 200M (24.24), the shot put (37’3”), and the long jump with an impressive jump of 19’5.25”. Cameron’s Talen Brown also had a nice day, Brown finished 4^th in the 100M, 6^th in the 200M, 3^rd in the 100 hurdles, and he was a part of the 4^th place finishing 4×60 hurdle relay team along with Griffen Miller, Josh Richards, and Kaiden Chapman. Miller also finished 4^th in the 400M, and 5^th in the 800M. Landon McCabe from Moundsville earned 6^th in the 100, and helped his 4×100 relay team of Kiyan Wray, Clayton Crow, Isaac Rine, and himself place 4^th. Gavin Myers from Moundsville got 5^th in the shot put. Moundsville’s Jamie Wilken, Camden Means, Edward Blake, and Jackson Tyrell finished 5^th in the 4×60 hurdle relay. On the distance side Sherrard and Moundsville won some awards as well. Sherrard’s Chase and Connor Fromhart won 2^nd and 4^th place, respectively. While Moundsville’s Apollo Miller and Dominic Kennen earned 5^th and 6^th place finishes. Sherrard 4×800 relay team consisting of both Fromhart’s along with Kason Wolfe and Carter Robbins completed the 2-mile relay in just over 11 minutes to finish 4^th.

Now, onto the girls’ side where we had an equally impressive performance by Sherrard’s Paislee Babiczuk. Babiczuk won the discus competition with a throw of 101’9” this may not mean much until I tell you that she won the event by almost 17 feet, the height of a giraffe. She also won the shot put with a throw of 37’. Teammate Gianna Polsinelli finished second in both events. Her throw of 35’10” in the shot was almost 6’ further than the competition. Coach Myers has them peaking at the right time. Moundsville’s Lauren Whetzel had a pretty good day herself. Whetzel finished 5^th in the 200, 3^rd in the 400, and 3^rd in the long jump. Up next for a nice showing is Lily Williams, Sherrard. Williams earned 5^th in the half mile and 3^rd in the mile. She also helped teammates Jasmine Persinger, Morgan Brandon, and Chloe Weekley in the 4×60 hurdle relay to a 2^nd place finish. Brandon was also able to capture 6^th in the high jump. Sherrard’s 4×200, and 4×400 had nice showings in the day too. The 4×200 team of Breaa Dougherty, Ella Riggle, Abigail Schrumpf, and Keagan Steele earned 4^th place. Schrumpf, Dougherty, and Steele joined up with Bailey Merinar in the 4×400 relay to finish 3^rd. Steele also came in 5^th in the long jump. Moundsville’s Gabriella Kelly finished an impressive 2^nd in the 2 mile. Kelly and the trio of Avery Taylor, Zoey Fry, and Lynden Gatts won 5^th in the mile relay. Gatts also earned 5^th in the high jump. Gatts and Taylor then teamed up with Laken Whitlatch and Liberty Caffaro to finish 3^rd in the 4×100 relay. In the 4×200 Whitlatch and Caffaro came together with Madison Lemley and Alyssa Brown to a 5^th place finish. The 100 hurdles saw Moundsville’s Memphis Miller come in 5^th place. A team from Cameron earned 4^th in the girls 4×800 relay, the team consisted of Khloe Evans, Ali Dishman, Alexa Dishman, and Addison Stern.

It always comes up on why would people want to live and stay here in the Ohio Valley or why would someone want to move to this area? I think this story gives many reasons. Look at all the different people that came together to make this meet happen. These are the same people that are your neighbors asking, “do you need help cutting that tree down, do you need help building that deck, do you need help …..?” And the unique part about it is that it happens all over Our Valley all the time. Thank you again to Justin Clifford and St. Clairsville Schools. Another thank you to everyone who helped out and made this event a great success. What makes a community great is when people come together for our kids and our schools and what a great community we have.