Midland's Kinzel, Bias share Ray McCoy Award

ONA -- David Bias and Drake Kinzel led Cabell Midland High School to its eighth Class AAA boys track and field state championship, so it's fitting that they share the Ray McCoy Award.

The award named in memory of a legendary track coach at Huntington High School is presented annually to Cabell County's top track athlete. But, this year two athletes separated themselves from the pack.

"I think we are both deserving of this award because we trained as hard as we possibly could," said Bias, who also won the McCoy Award in 2007. "This was the perfect way to go out and I just want to thank all my coaches and parents for the support they gave me."

They saved their best performances for the state meet in Charleston at Laidley Field.

Bias won a state title in the 800 meters with a time of 1:56.22. In the 1600-meter race he used a strong finish to secure second place with a time of 4:27.38. He also placed second in the 3,200 with a time of 9:40.64.

And, Bias ran the anchor leg on the 4x800 relay team that was clocked in 8:08.96. It was the relay team's fast time of the season.

He will attend Marshall University and run for the cross country team.

Kinzel was equally impressive at the state meet.

The hurdler swept his events, winning the 110-meter event with a time of 14.96 seconds and the 300-meter race in 39.06 seconds.

He ran a leg on the winning shuttle hurdles team that posted a time of 56.22 seconds and anchored the third-place 4x400 relay.

"It feels great to win the Ray McCoy award and it's an honor to share it with David Bias," Kinzel said. "This was a storybook season and it couldn't have went any better for me."

Kinzel will also attend Marshall, where he will major in business management. Kinzel said he will focus on academics as a freshman, but might eventually transfer to a school that has a track program.

All season long Bias and Kinzel made a habit of winning. So it only makes sense that they finish their high school track careers as champions.