BLUEFIELD —
Susan Nunley was unsure what to expect when she helped organize the Jerolee White 5K Run and Walk held on Saturday Bluefield State College.
What she saw Saturday morning blew her away as nearly 50 runners and 100 walkers participated in the first edition of the event.
“I’m humbled by it,” said Nunley, an assistant nursing professor at Bluefield State. “I never ever expected this for our first event. I couldn’t believe it.
“The students went out and got sponsors. They took entry forms to the local hospitals and wellness centers and they got a lot of people involved. I hope that we can do even more to support the community in other ways.”
White would have, no doubt, loved to participate in the event and would have been proud of the overall winner, Abdul Shattory.
The 14-year-old from Rocky Gap, who won the Wolf 5K Run at Wolf Creek Indian Village nearly a month ago, crossed the finished line first in 19 minutes and 34 seconds.
“I actually wanted to run under 20 minutes to show I’m doing something,” Shattory said. “Next year, I want to get under 18 minutes.”
The Rocky Gap freshmen did not know about the event until someone at a Bland County soccer game mentioned it to him. He was happy to be back running and hopes to continue to improve on his times.
“I saw a few of these guys at the Wolf 5K and they told me to keep doing what I’m doing,” Shattory said. “I run cross country so I thought that it’d be good to stay in shape for the season. I’ve been running a couple of other races including a few half-marathons. I love it. It’s a good thing.”
Shattory came in more than a minute ahead of Trey Brown (20:48) and Tom Kaylor (20:52).
The event also brought out a few familiar faces on the women’s side as Bluefield State cross country coach Vonda Wilson took part in the activities instead of heading to Grundy for a Kiwanis-sponsored race there.
“It always feels good to run in Bluefield,” Wilson said. “This event helps to promote the school and the nursing program. It was a good day. It’s always fun to run for a good cause.”
Wilson was able to take top honors in the women’s 5K as she set a new personal record after clocking in at 22 minutes and 3 seconds.
“It felt good,” Wilson said. “I had a new PR and I beat my previous PR by nine seconds. I thought I had went out too fast in my first mile. I did my first mile the fastest I’ve ever done it. I just tried to stay strong for the rest of the race.”
Erica Morgan (22:30) came in second and was followed by Keri Quesenberry (22:55).
Wilson accomplished two of her goals during the race as she finished in the top three and beat some of the runners that she coaches.
“I was hoping to finish in the top three of the women today,” she said. “I have a couple cross-country runners out here that I coach. I really didn’t get into the lead until the second mile. They were beating me and I was hoping to finish third. But I managed to work my way up.”
“Normally, they beat me in practice. It feels very good,” Wilson said with a smile.
The event honored community supporter Jerolee White, who Nunley said embodied everything to be expected from a student, mother and nurse.
“Jerolee is an example of a typical nursing student we have,” Nunley said. “She was older, raising her three children and working a job. She came back to nursing school and got her degree. She worked for years as a nurse, and then furthered her degree. She eventually went on to teach here. She was an excellent educator.
“She was involved in the community. She was 70-years-old working as a nurse practitioner. She believed in life-long learning. She at 70-years-old had more energy than a 20-year-old. We laughed about it and said that this is the kind of event she would of loved.
“To get people involved and active, we couldn’t of picked a better event. It was great to have this in her honor and memorialize her today.”
Nunley was one those as she finished first in her age group with a time of 33 minutes and 24 seconds.
Despite her time and place, Nunley was more thrilled about the event and what it meant to the school and community.
“I thought this would be a good way to get our students in the community and get them involved in their own health and wellness, and to do something good for the community,” Nunley said. “I wanted to do it for a good cause. Our program director said we have the Jerolee White Scholarship that’s never been fully funded and why don’t we do it for that.
“We have students that the scholarship was meant for and students in the program who need that money. Even today, they were asking me when they could apply. We hope to do this every year and keep the scholarship funded.
“The students have had a great time and have worked really hard. I never dreamed that we’d have this kind of turnout.”
— Contact Jonathan Greene at jgreene@bdtonline.com
*****
BLUEFIELD — Results from Saturday morning’s Jerolee White 5K Run & Walk.
5K run, Males
1. Abdul Shattory, 19:34; 2. Trey Brown, 20:48; 3. Tom Kaylor 20:52.
14 & Under
Islam Shattory, 23:17.
20-24
Anthony Kelley, 25:29; Aaron Aliff, 37:15.
30-34
Sam White, 22:43; Craig Nash, 25:56.
35-39
Adem Ozwavas, 27:59; Bob Bailey, 32:09.
45-49
Rick Shannon, 24:36; Isacc Robinson, 24:55; Al MacNaughton, 25:57.
50-54
DeWayne Belcher, 21:20; Desi McClung, 26:14; David Gates, 26:46; Steven Hunt, 29:59.
55-59
Larry Fitzwater, 24:13; Tom Gordon, 26:41.
60-64
Ronald Shuck, 23:18; Mike Connolly, 29:50.
65-69
Doc Craddock, 24:33; Jimmy Miller, 28:09.
5K run, Females
1. Vonda Wilson, 22:03; Erica Morgan, 22:30; Keri Quesenberry, 22:55.
14 & Under
Alexis Bailey, 32:05.
15-19
Trich Gallager, 23:42; Tara Hazelwood, 28:11.
20-24
Josie Honaker, 27:07; Sabrina Sloan, 30:52; Lauren Broyles, 31:41; Julie Jackson, 32:03; Kristen Testa, 33:13; Sarah Clarke, 35:08.
25-29
Kari Nunley, 33:25; Amanda Grose, 36:29.
30-34
Heather Cook, 35:13; Keisha Riley, 36:28; Joclyn Woods, 39:12.
35-39
Jennifer Alvarez, 25:44.
40-44
Jeannie Weitzel, 30:17; Julie Orr, 32:39.
50-54
Susan Nunley, 33:24; Cathrine Connolly, 35:10; Carol Fitzwater, 42:13.
5K Walk, Males
1. Hugh White; 2. Brandon Belcher; 3. Josh Shorter
5K Walk, Females
1. Kelli White; 2. Eduth Hill; 3. Sharon White.
