Dave Robicheaux
10-18-2008, 02:48 PM
I want to report on the Hampton City Cross Country Meet held on Friday at Gosnolds Hope Park. The event yesterday afternoon involved nearly 90 runners from the 4 city high schools plus parents, coaches and fans.
The meet produced one of the most exciting boys races of the year, with sophomore Cory Burke nipping Kecoughtan and Bethel runners at the wire after making a tremendous kick in the last 100 yards. Burke, who had not run competitively before last season, continues to improve at an accelerated rate, posting his PR yesterday and breaking 17 minutes for the first time. The boys race also demonstrated the strength of the Kecoughtan and Bethel programs, and showed just how far along the Hampton boys program has come in just a couple of seasons. The young Crabbers now realize that they will have to defeat at least one of their innercity rivals at next week's District meet to be one of the four teams that advance to the Regionals.
On the girls side, Tina Woodard continued her dominance of the event and of cross country on the Peninsula. Just a junior, she once again outpaced her opponents by nearly a minute. Woodard also benefitted from the strong showing of the rest of the Crabber runners to win the meet title by the slimmest of margins. Another strong showing by the Crabbers next week may send the Crabber squad, and not just Woodard, to the Regionals. The Bruins and the Warriors remain the favorites to join the Gloucester Dukes in the Regionals.
I note that the DP has had feature articles on Hannah Varnell of Gloucester and the Fiscella sisters at Peninsula Catholic, all three great runners, but no article yet on the one girl who has consistently run faster all year long. Woodard already has enjoyed an outstanding prep career and deserves a little credit for her efforts.
The meet also showcased the growing interest in cross country on the Peninsula, with the Hampton girls winning for the first time in a long time and the Kecoughtan and Bethel programs showing off very good runners in large numbers. Even Phoebus showed that its team is on the rebound, with a young Phantom runner placing second in the JV girls race.
The Peninsula District meet is scheduled to be held next Thursday starting at 3:00 p.m. at Newport News Park -- I hope sportsfans will come out to watch what should be a couple of great races and to support a dedicated and talented group of athletes.
The meet produced one of the most exciting boys races of the year, with sophomore Cory Burke nipping Kecoughtan and Bethel runners at the wire after making a tremendous kick in the last 100 yards. Burke, who had not run competitively before last season, continues to improve at an accelerated rate, posting his PR yesterday and breaking 17 minutes for the first time. The boys race also demonstrated the strength of the Kecoughtan and Bethel programs, and showed just how far along the Hampton boys program has come in just a couple of seasons. The young Crabbers now realize that they will have to defeat at least one of their innercity rivals at next week's District meet to be one of the four teams that advance to the Regionals.
On the girls side, Tina Woodard continued her dominance of the event and of cross country on the Peninsula. Just a junior, she once again outpaced her opponents by nearly a minute. Woodard also benefitted from the strong showing of the rest of the Crabber runners to win the meet title by the slimmest of margins. Another strong showing by the Crabbers next week may send the Crabber squad, and not just Woodard, to the Regionals. The Bruins and the Warriors remain the favorites to join the Gloucester Dukes in the Regionals.
I note that the DP has had feature articles on Hannah Varnell of Gloucester and the Fiscella sisters at Peninsula Catholic, all three great runners, but no article yet on the one girl who has consistently run faster all year long. Woodard already has enjoyed an outstanding prep career and deserves a little credit for her efforts.
The meet also showcased the growing interest in cross country on the Peninsula, with the Hampton girls winning for the first time in a long time and the Kecoughtan and Bethel programs showing off very good runners in large numbers. Even Phoebus showed that its team is on the rebound, with a young Phantom runner placing second in the JV girls race.
The Peninsula District meet is scheduled to be held next Thursday starting at 3:00 p.m. at Newport News Park -- I hope sportsfans will come out to watch what should be a couple of great races and to support a dedicated and talented group of athletes.