by Jamie Harris
Some races are run against the clock. Others are run for something far greater.
On Saturday, the Berkeley Springs Indians and Lady Indians Cross Country teams traveled to Cabell Midland Cross Country Course in Ona for the Class AA West Virginia State Cross Country Championships. While the challenging hills, fast competition and championship atmosphere provided plenty of motivation, the Berkeley Springs runners carried something even more powerful with them throughout every mile of the race.
They carried the memory of former teammate Josh Walls.
After the heartbreaking loss of Walls before the start of the 2026 season, the Indians and Lady Indians dedicated their season to honoring a teammate whose impact on the program continues to be felt every day. At the state meet, that dedication was visible in every stride as Berkeley Springs competed with determination, courage and the close-knit spirit that defines the Indian cross country family.
Leading the way for Berkeley Springs was senior standout Jay Nazelrod, who delivered a tremendous performance against the state’s best runners. Nazelrod crossed the finish line in 18:01.1, earning a 20th-place finish and securing Second Team All-State honors. The senior capped off his high school cross country career with one of the finest races of his career, demonstrating the toughness and leadership that made him a cornerstone of the Indians program.
For the Lady Indians, junior Bella Shoemaker once again proved why she is among the state’s elite runners. Shoemaker navigated the challenging Cabell Midland layout with confidence and determination, finishing 14th overall in 21:54.4. Her outstanding performance earned Second Team All-State honors and added another chapter to an already impressive cross country career.
The future is equally bright for Berkeley Springs, thanks to freshman sensation Rylee Yost. Competing in her first state championship race, Yost showed poise well beyond her years, finishing 20th overall in a time of 22:37.6. Her Top-20 finish earned her Second Team All-State honors, an impressive achievement for an athlete in her first season at the high school level.
The Lady Indians also received strong performances from senior Isabelle Bingaman, who finished 34th overall in 23:44.6, and freshman Ellie Rosensteel, who placed 43rd with a time of 24:26.3. Both runners battled through one of West Virginia’s toughest championship courses and represented Berkeley Springs with pride.
Sophomore Joshua Lucas rounded out the Indians’ state championship representatives with a determined effort, finishing 55th overall in 19:34.5 while competing against the best Class AA runners in the state.
While the results were impressive, the story of the day extended far beyond placements and finish times.
Cross country is often called an individual sport, but Berkeley Springs showed once again that it is truly about family. Every athlete who stepped to the starting line carried not only their own goals, but also the memory of a teammate whose spirit remains woven into the fabric of the program.
As runners powered up the hills and sprinted toward the finish line, it was easy to imagine an extra set of footsteps running alongside them.
The stopwatch captured the times.
The results recorded the places.
But the real measure of success came from a team that refused to let a teammate’s memory fade.
Three All-State performances. Countless moments of perseverance. One united purpose.
On a championship course, the Berkeley Springs Indians and Lady Indians proved that the strongest teams are connected by more than talent. They are connected by friendship, loyalty, and love.
And on this special Saturday in Ona, every step was for Josh Walls.
Three All-State honors. One unforgettable season. One teammate forever in their hearts.
The post Running for Josh: Berkeley Springs earns All-State Honors at WV Cross Country Championships appeared first on Morgan Messenger.
