Williamstown athletes celebrate after the 4x800 relay team claimed victory in Friday’s state meet at Laidley Field. (Photo by Bella Faith Photography)

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The era of dominance continues for the Williamstown girls track program.

The Yellowjackets claimed their seventh consecutive state championship Saturday at Laidley Field, cruising past runner-up Lincoln 115-72.5 for the Class AA title. It’s their second straight double-A title after winning five straight in single-A.

“We put in a lot of work to be here,” said WHS junior Cassie Sites.

Individually, Sites led the ‘Jackets with 21.5 points. Saturday, she placed third in the 1600 (5:27.02) and fourth in the 800 (2:26.72).

“You can’t be mad about that,” she continued. “All I do is go out there and try my best. I think all these girls are very motivated. We show up every day at practice willing to put in the work that we need to become state champions. That way, by the time we get to this track meet, we’re ready to compete the way we know we can.”

Williamstown’s Grace Boone competes in the pole vault, which she won with a mark of 10 feet, 6 inches. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Typically when a team wins three titles in a three-to-five-year span, it’s considered a dynasty. What Williamstown is doing is something beyond that.

“The athletes are great,” said head coach Zach Hall. “They come in every day. They know what we try to do, what we want at the end of the year and they start it from day one. It starts even before day one. They train in the offseason. They do everything we ask, no complaints.”

Grace Boone kicked off day two with a win in the pole vault. She cleared 10 feet, 6 inches to beat out Ralynn Heintzman (10-0) of Tyler Consolidated and Jaycee Lipscomb (9-6) of Doddridge.

The Yellowjackets got a major boost in the sprint relays, winning the 4×1 (50.90) and 4×2 (1:47.53). Audrey Lefebure, Addison Richardson, Luci Collins and Maggie Johnson teamed up in the 4×2 while Aleena Johnson swapped in for Collins in the 4×1.

“In the 4 by 1, that’s the first time we’ve had three good handoffs,” Hall said. “First time ever. We always have one bad one along the way. Today, it was perfect.”

Williamstown’s Cassie Sites, left, finished fourth in the 800 meter run behind Buffalo’s Cami Samples. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

Richardson, Collins, Maggie Johnson and Bridget Kirby led WHS to a runner-up finish in the 4×4 (4:22.01).

Maggie Johnson claimed a third-place finish in the 100 (13.50) while Addi Kerby was third in the long jump (15-4). Kerby also gave the ‘Jackets points with a fifth- and sixth-place finish in the hurdles.

“Tell you what, Addi Kerby had a really good last two weeks,” Hall said. “She peaked at the right time. Came out of nowhere. High hurdles, did well. Long jump, did well. She just had an amazing last two weeks of her senior year.”

Reagan Corbett helped set the tone for Williamstown on Friday, capturing the state title in the discus and finishing second in the shot put.

“I’m glad because it gives the kids something to show them that their hard work actually pays off,” Hall said.

“Can’t wait for the next one.”

From Roane County, Josie Cox was one of the only double-champions from the Mid-Ohio Valley. The Raiders junior swept the hurdles events Saturday in addition to placing fourth in the 400 (1:01.11).

“I’m just extremely proud of myself,” said Cox, who finished second and fourth in the hurdles last season.

“It feels great. I’ve been working to try to win these two races since my freshman year. It’s been my goal. I was just feeling so proud of myself. Last year I came in second in the 3s. I just knew I was gonna get it today. I was like ‘I am winning no matter what and leaving it all out there.'”

Doddridge County placed fourth as a team with 57 points followed by Tyler Consolidated one point behind in fifth with 56.

The Silver Knights got a state championship from Ayo Buerger in the high jump. She cleared 5-2 and bested Doddridge’s Brooke DeHaven, who also cleared 5-2, via tiebreaker.

DeHaven was also runner-up in the long jump, 16-0. Her teammate Payton Trent was also projected to do well in the long jump but suffered an injury during the event. Trent later walked the 200 to finish eighth and score a point for her team.

Ravenswood’s Riley Sotomayor was the runner-up in the 400 (1:00.32) and placed fifth in the 800 (2:28.82) to account for all 12 of the Red Devilettes’ points.

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com