by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs High School Indians made their mark at the Class AA State Cross Country Championships held Saturday, November 1, on the notoriously challenging course at Cabell Midland High School.
Leading the way for the Lady Indians was sophomore standout Bella Shoemaker, who delivered an exceptional performance in the girls’ race. Shoemaker placed 18th out of 80 runners, clocking a time of 22:32.74, showcasing grit and determination on a course known for its hills and technical terrain. Her top 20 finish capped off a season of steady improvement and positions her as a rising star in West Virginia cross country.
On the boys’ side, the Indians battled through a deep and competitive field of 100 runners, finishing 9th out of 13 teams in the overall standings. The Tribe was led by a group of runners who all achieved personal records (PRs) on the state’s biggest stage, a testament to their hard work and peak performance when it mattered most.
Top Performers
Boys Varsity
Jay Nazelrod (Junior) – 26th place – 18:54.73
Josh Walls (Senior) – 31st place – 19:19.96
Joshua Lucas (Freshman) – 61st place – 20:27.27
Haven Ailor (Junior) – 71st place – 20:54.59
Dustin Smith (Junior) – 78th place – 21:28.93
Liam Stewart (Senior) – 83rd place – 22:03.04
Team Scores
Boys Class AA
Doddridge – 60
Lincoln – 71
Frankfort – 90
Tyler Consolidated – 123
Williamstown – 131
Wayne – 193
Ravenswood – 200
Buffalo – 214
Berkeley Springs – 224
James Monroe – 235
Westside – 246
Summers County – 288
Scott – 293
The Indians’ strong showing, especially with multiple runners setting PRs, reflects the team’s growth and resilience throughout the season. With several underclassmen contributing to the scoring, the future looks bright for Berkeley Springs cross country.
Bella Shoemaker led the way for the Lady Indians.
