Lynn Burke
11-09-2007, 06:37 PM
STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
WHEN: Today. Girls meets: Group AAA at 10:30 a.m., Group AA at 1:00 p.m., Group A at 11:45 a.m. Boys meets: Group AAA at 11:15 a.m., Group AA at 1:45 p.m., Group A at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Great Meadows, Warrenton.
ADMISSION: $7.
BOYS OUTLOOK: Jamestown is a solid choice to bring home a Group AA state championship. Bay Rivers District champion Andrew Colley and Region I runner-up John Holt give the Eagles two competitors who will rank among the state’s elite, and a strong supporting cast gives Jamestown seemingly superior depth. Region I champion Will Mulherin of Tabb has established himself as another BRD challenger for the Group AA individual title. Peninsula District champion Gloucester finished fourth in the Eastern Region to become the lone PD qualifier for the Group AAA meet. Ocean Lakes may be the only representative of the region capable of challenging 2006 Group AAA champ Midlothian’s title defense, though. Gloucester’s Doug Fenstermacher won both the district and regional individual crowns, making him one to watch against the state’s best. Heritage’s Orlando Burton and Menchville’s David Gerlach will compete as individuals. Grafton, Lancaster and Mathews are other local teams competing.
GIRLS OUTLOOK: Without any Peninsula District teams in the field, sophomore Kristina Woodard of Hampton is the district’s top story. Her second-place finish in the Eastern Region points to a possible ascension to the top tier of state runners. Tallwood’s Octavia Rinehardt was the only runner better in the region, and she could prove to be the state’s best today. Peninsula champ Hannah Varnell of Gloucester should post a good time, and Bethel’s Ariana Betts also will run. Defending champion Midlothian could add another state title, but Eastern Region champion Western Branch should place well if it gets strong showings from Natalie Wynn and Callen Powers. Jamestown and New Kent advanced to the state meet after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the Region I championship. Grafton’s Haley Kopczynski is likely to be the highest finisher from a quartet of individual Bay Rivers District qualifiers. Lancaster, King William and West Point are in the Group A meet.
WHEN: Today. Girls meets: Group AAA at 10:30 a.m., Group AA at 1:00 p.m., Group A at 11:45 a.m. Boys meets: Group AAA at 11:15 a.m., Group AA at 1:45 p.m., Group A at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Great Meadows, Warrenton.
ADMISSION: $7.
BOYS OUTLOOK: Jamestown is a solid choice to bring home a Group AA state championship. Bay Rivers District champion Andrew Colley and Region I runner-up John Holt give the Eagles two competitors who will rank among the state’s elite, and a strong supporting cast gives Jamestown seemingly superior depth. Region I champion Will Mulherin of Tabb has established himself as another BRD challenger for the Group AA individual title. Peninsula District champion Gloucester finished fourth in the Eastern Region to become the lone PD qualifier for the Group AAA meet. Ocean Lakes may be the only representative of the region capable of challenging 2006 Group AAA champ Midlothian’s title defense, though. Gloucester’s Doug Fenstermacher won both the district and regional individual crowns, making him one to watch against the state’s best. Heritage’s Orlando Burton and Menchville’s David Gerlach will compete as individuals. Grafton, Lancaster and Mathews are other local teams competing.
GIRLS OUTLOOK: Without any Peninsula District teams in the field, sophomore Kristina Woodard of Hampton is the district’s top story. Her second-place finish in the Eastern Region points to a possible ascension to the top tier of state runners. Tallwood’s Octavia Rinehardt was the only runner better in the region, and she could prove to be the state’s best today. Peninsula champ Hannah Varnell of Gloucester should post a good time, and Bethel’s Ariana Betts also will run. Defending champion Midlothian could add another state title, but Eastern Region champion Western Branch should place well if it gets strong showings from Natalie Wynn and Callen Powers. Jamestown and New Kent advanced to the state meet after finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the Region I championship. Grafton’s Haley Kopczynski is likely to be the highest finisher from a quartet of individual Bay Rivers District qualifiers. Lancaster, King William and West Point are in the Group A meet.