Gobblers Cross Country Teams Captures the 2024 State Title
Led by Senior Tristan Yoder, the Gobblers pulled the upset at the State Meet
By: Micah Morris
2024 was a magical year for the Gobblers Cross Country Team, and for the Gobblers it ended it true dramatic fashion. The Gobblers team, pulled a stunning upset, led by Senior Tristian Yoder, to claim the VHSL Class 3 State Title on a beautiful fall Saturday in Blacksburg.
“All of them [the team] really stepped up at the same time at States. Even though we were seeded third… the team didn’t let that deter them.” Coach Darrell Zook said.
“At our team meeting the night before, I showed a video of Cole Hocker’s experience winning the Olympic 1500 championship this past summer. It really inspired the boys to not be deterred by the 59 points [they were trailing at the time] and hope for more than we could expect.” Zook continued.
All season the Gobblers were led by Tristan Yoder. Yoder, who captured the individual State Championship headlined the exciting group of runners for the Gobblers. “Tristan very quickly became a leader on the team his sophomore year as his dedication, discipline and hard work was a role model for all the others. They all rallied around him and wanted to work as hard as he was working.” Coach Zook said.
“When the other runners saw Tristian’s hard work and dedication to base miles during the summer, the other joined in and it made all the difference.” Zook continued.
“No one expected us to win except us. I tried to convince them that they can run with confidence in their training. It is rare to have everyone run their best on one day, but that is what happened. I like to call it the “miracle on grass”.
When asked what his favorite memory from the season was, Coach Zook said the victory at the State Meet will “be an outstanding memory for the year and my life”.
Coach Zook is hoping that this is the beginning of a dynasty at Broadway. With a core returning, headlined by Sophomore Peyton Allen, Coach Zook is also hopeful of rebuilding the girls team at BHS, “I haven’t had a girls team for three years now, so I hope this success and excitement will help stat up another girls dynasty.”
“I am honored, blessed, humbled and privileged to be able to be a role model and mentor for these great guys.”
At the State Meet, Tristan Yoder was the State Champion with an official time of 15:34, which according to Coach Zook, was the fastest high school time in the State in all six classes. Jaiden Santos Nguyen placed 7th with Peyton Allen and Gavin Diehl finishing in the Top 21.
On Saturday, November 23, Tristan Yoder finished in 3rd place at the Foot Locker Southern Regional Meet in Charlotte, NC, and is now preparing for the National Meet in San Diego.
The State Title is the third in BHS History, following the 2017 Girls Basketball Championship and the 2018 Boys Track Championship
