Buffalo's Dylan Rich Continues to Run with State's Best

I had a chance to attend my first track meet of the season, the Dick Darby Invitational at Poca High School on Tuesday evening. I used the opportunity to speak with Buffalo senior runner Dylan Rich and Buffalo boys track coach Richie Wyant, for a feature on Rich that will run in Wednesday's sports section of The Charleston Daily Mail.

Last year, Rich won the Class A title in the 800-meter (half-mile) run, the 1600 (mile) and ran anchor on Buffalo's first-place 4x800 relay squad. During his 1600 effort, Rich set a new state meet record with a time of 4:23.18. In that race, Rich defeated his closest competitor Jordan Whitehair, of St. Marys, by more than six seconds. In addition to his three state titles as a junior, Rich placed sixth in the 3200 (two-mile) in 10:06.25.

This season, Rich has begun right where he ended -- among the state's top runners. Rich opened his season by defeating Class AAA 800 reigning champ Jacob Burcham, of Cabell Midland, as the two runners faced in the 800 at Midland's Carlos Akers/Doc Hale Memorial Invitational at Midland March 29.

Burcham ranks as one of the state's most heralded runners in all West Virginia high school running history, so beating Burcham at Burcham's own track did not come without notice.

“It was a real mix of emotions, because, obviously I’m tickled to death for Dylan,” Wyant said, “but I felt like I done something dirty. Burcham was so great, because, Dylan, after the race said, ‘I’ve got to find him, just to shake his hand,’ and he did, and Burcham gave him a big smile like ‘Oh, you got me.’ It was good for both of them. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Jacob get beat much more this year.”

Rich said it was important for him to reach out to Burcham and congratulate the Knights runner on a stellar race, regardless of the outcome.

“I just told him ‘Good race,’" Rich said of his exchange with Burcham. "It was just like, he’s another runner. You tell him ‘Good race.’ He ran a good time, too.”

Since defeating Burcham, Rich has continued to excel.

At Greenbrier East, Rich won the mile event with a time of 4:32 despite a track with two inches of snow.

“It was snow-covered," Wyant said. "It was unbelievable.”

At Poca's Dick Darby Invitational, Rich completed his first full meet of events: 800, 1600, 3200 and 4x800. Rich showed his strength and swept them all.

 As Rich continues to improve, it appears his only competition this season might be himself as he sets higher and greater goals. Rich will next compete in the BB&T Classic, hosted by George Washington at the University of Charleston's Laidley Field on Friday.

For a full feature on Rich's season thus far and his aspirations for this year, check out my article in Wednesday's edition of The Daily Mail at www.dailymail.com.