Cross country: Phoebus, Bethel win dual meets

[Sonny Dearth]

Quenton Smith led Phoebus to a 24-32 boys victory over Denbigh at Gosnold's Hope Park in 18:28. Phoebus' Monique Harvey won the girls race in 23:53 as the Phantoms won 15-50. ...

Bethel took the top five spots in both races against Heritage at Sandy Bottom Park to win 15-50. Rafael Espinosa recorded the top boys time in 18 minutes, 56 seconds. Ariana Betts led the girls in 22:08.

[06Raider]

Just a few notes from Gosnold's Hope Park and Wednesday's meets...

Hampton's boys beat Warwick in a meet that was actually closer than the final score let on. The top two runners for both teams were in a fairly tight group for the first 2.5 miles or so, then one Warwick runner was dropped. Hampton's top two outkicked Warwick's number 1 runner for the top spots.

In the girls' race, Kristina Woodard looked strong, coming through 2 miles in about 11:38, then coasting to a 19:10 final time, leading her team to a 15-50 shutout (Warwick did not have 5 varsity runners competing). 8th-grader Eliza Lavery ran 22:17 for Warwick's JV squad, dropping almost 2 minutes from her NN Invite time. As a frame of reference, Woodard PRed in the high 20s during her 8th grade year.

The Gloucester-Kecoughtan boys' race was a good one, but Gloucester had the depth to take the victory. On the girls' side, Hannah Varnell appeared to be taking it easy at this dual meet, pacing her teammates and running 20:21.

Speaking of the top female runner in the district, Coach Ryan of Hampton is extremely adamant that Woodard is going to beat Varnell at the district meet. I would advise not anything about Hannah repeating as district champion in his presence. My money is still on Hannah though.

Heritage went another race without Orlando Burton. Maybe he's still missing practices?

If anyone has Menchville-Woodside results or news from that meet, please post them. Thanks.

[jfmcgrath]

Interesting take on the CC meets from Raider06. I definitely like the insight. Please keep it up! For the record, Coach Ryan has been adamant about Kristina beating Hannah for two years now. They are certainly close enough for him to be confident these days. Regardless of who wins at the PD meet, I do like to see those two battle it out; they always race each other hard.

[davidbaer]

Menchville 17 (1-2-3-5-6) vs. Woodside 44 (4-7-10-11-12) 9/17/2008

~"3 mile"

Boys Top 10
1. Brandyn Dyke (M) 16:01
2. Graham Wilson (M) 16:12
3. Adam Hunter (M) 17:04
4. Remington Roth (W) 17:07
5. David Gerlach (M) 17:15
6. Stephen Harrah (M) 17:17
7. Matt Hunter (W) 17:43
8. Andres McIntyre (M) 17:56
9. Eric Breedlove (M) 18:32
10. Garren Montgomery (M) 18:33

Girls - I don't have official "times" results, but this is what I remember...
Menchville 17 Woodside 43

1. Maxine Robinson (M)
2. Tierra Mitchell (M)
3. Mereidth McDowell (M)
4. Mallory Swett (M)
5. ? (W)
6. ? (W)
7. Alex Elliot (M)
8. Brianna Smith (M)

[HelpIsComing]

Both Hannah and Tina are very great runners, but I give the upper hand to Tina. Granted Hannah won the PD last year, but it was by a second or two. Take a look at the regional meet and state meet. Tina by far outran Hannah. Coach Ryan is a smart man, he has been in this sport for a long long time. And I am backing him 100% in this topic.
Stop Tina.