Kingwood in Preston County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Cross Country Course
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 29, 2024
1. Cross Country Course Marker
The cross country course traverses the hills and valleys of the Preston High campus and the county farm property. One specific part of the course that is notorious is the hill known as Hillacious. Hillacious was created in 2002 by then Preston High cross country coach Greg Messenger. It has been in use ever since by the PHS cross country team. The course received the name Hillacious because of it's difficulty. It is a little less than a half-mile long. Thousands of runners have experienced Hillacious, as it is utilized as part of the county middle school cross country championship course, the Mountaintop Combo Course, and conference and regional championships. The Preston High boys cross country team won the first ever team state championship in county history back in 2003. The boys team was state runners-up in 2004 and the girls have been state runners-up in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010.
Erected 2023 by Family Engagement, coordinated by Paul Martin, Principal, Central Preston Middle School. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.
Location. 39° 27.686′ N, 79° 40.971′ W. Marker is in Kingwood, West Virginia, in Preston County. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Preston County Animal Shelter (a few steps from this marker); Central Preston Middle School (within shouting distance of this marker); Preston High School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buckwheat Festival Fair Grounds (about 400 feet away); Community Soccer Fields (about 400 feet away); Kingwood High School (about 500 feet away); Maplewood Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Preston County Poor Farm (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingwood.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, April 29, 2024
2. Cross Country Course Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
