Photo courtesy of Kerry Patrick/Parkersburg News and Sentinel Williamstown’s Alyssa Sauro was named the McCoy Female Track Athlete of the Year today by the W.Va. Sports Writers Association.

WILLIAMSTOWN — West Virginia University landed the McCoy Female Track Athlete of the Year today.

Williamstown senior Alyssa Sauro, who signed to continue her running career in Morgantown for the Mountaineers, was honored as the top female track athlete by the W.Va. Sports Writers Association.

“It’s just the old saying. Hard work pays off,” Yellowjacket head girls track coach Zach Hall said of Sauro.

“She’s probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around, boy or girl. She’s probably out there running in shorts right now knowing her.”

Sauro, who shared high-point honors at the Class A state track meet with teammate Shelby Smith, swept the 800, 1600 and 3200 for the third consecutive spring and anchored the victorious 4×8 unit.

“This is honestly a really big deal. I’m so thankful to get this. It’s a very prestigious award,” admitted Sauro, who closed out her cross country career in the fall with a Class AA state runner-up effort behind Herbert Hoover’s Maysen Fletcher.

Williamstown’s string of single-A state track championships came to an end following reclassification.

“I’m very lucky to get this,” added Sauro, who beat out a loaded field that included runner-up Hannah Phillips of Class AAA state champion Jefferson as well as Trinity’s Elecia McCurrie, who was voted third after earning high-point accolades as a freshman in Charleston for the Class A Warriors.

Sauro, who carries a 4.0-plus GPA, was named the 2023-2024 Gatorade state player of the year in both cross country and track.

“Honestly, I’m really lucky to be moved up to double-A because now I can have some competition,” said Sauro, who also was state runner-up in cross country as a freshman before winning it all the following two years.

The ‘Jacket also is looking forward to this spring and testing the double-A track waters.

“It’s not completely that different, but since I get to race against Maysen Fletcher it makes racing a lot more fun for me,” noted the ‘Jacket.

Coach Hall said “they are excited for this year. Let’s put it that way. They are ready to go. Alyssa knows who she has in double-A now.

“We’re excited for the double-A challenge, but we expect to be in the running at the end. We know what it takes to get us there and I have a feeling the girls will do it again.”

Despite the bitter cold, Sauro continues to get miles in as she prepares for spring and her future as a Mountaineer.

“I’m super excited to go to West Virginia,” she said. “I’m really lucky with the future teammates and future coach I’m going to have. Yeah, I’m really excited.

“If it’s like 10 degrees outside I won’t run, but if it’s like 25 or above that’s kind of something I can handle.”

Sauro added of having less than a semester left in high school “it’s crazy. It has really flown by and it’s been a lot of fun. My goals are just getting faster and to focus on myself and get ready for my college experience.

“I think we can definitely get another state title. Moving up to double-A wasn’t necessarily a huge jump team-wise for us. I think we have a pretty good shot of getting a state title.”

Sauro, Smith and fellow teammates also are taking advantage of some indoor meets.

“I’m really looking to peak and run my fastest time at the state meet,” said Sauro, who added of receiving the McCoy honor “I’m just really lucky to be getting this award. I just want to express how lucky I am.”

Sauro will be honored at the 78th annual Victory Awards Dinner on May 4 at the Bridgeport Convention Center.