The Commonwealth District Meet will be held on Thursday, October 26th at Willowmere Park in Stafford. It is the second year in a row that the district meet will be held at Willowmere. This preview article was contributed anonymously and is greatly appreciated. Also interesting to note that Albemarle coach Lance Weisand mentioned in a Daily Progress article that defending AAA state and Commonwealth District champion Rachel Rose could be making a return within the next week or two. Link to article.
Girls
In the girls team race, over the last six years the outcome has been between Brooke Point and Colonial Forge, this year will be no different. The Colonial Forge Girls look as strong as ever as they look to repeat as District Champions. They are lead by returning All-State runners, Kay Comer (6th) and Molly Hawkins (10th). The supporting cast of Jordan Zarrone, KC Wade, Laura Bryant, and Kelly Doescher make them a tough team to beat in the District.
Team wise, Brooke Point and Albemarle will be tracking right behind Colonial Forge. Brooke Point will be returning Brittany Copeland (5th at States last year), Brittany Wilhelm, and Kelly Leonard. Albemarle will be led by the returning XC State Champion, Rachel Rose, she is nursing an injury at this time. Coach Weisend will not take a chance to get the team out of Districts by not running Rose. Look for Liz Barclay to have a good race, as we saw at the Albemarle Invitational. The key to Albermarle is the pack of runners right behind the front two, if they have one or two break through the barrier they could be dangerous.
The two teams competing for the final qualifying spot will be North Stafford and Mountain View. North Stafford will be led by All-State runner Kelly Reinwald (12th). With the Lussier twins finally gone, they will be looking for someone to step up and fill the gap. Jessica McClelland, Ashley Matthews, and Kelly Austin look to fill that void. Mountain View will feature Heather Lambert and Emma Bohman for their 1-2 punch. They will supported by Amy Bruekle and Brooke Croce. The race is to find the supporting cast to complement the lead runners.
With two new coaches coming on board at Massaponax and Stafford, both teams look to establish new traditions. Massaponax boast Sam Morrison, she should make it to Regions.
Individually, look for Liz Barclay (ALB) to be the new District Champion. The race is for second place between Comer (CF) and Copeland (BP). Don't be surprised if someone from the next pack, Hawkins (CF), Reinwald (NS), Lambert (MV), and Bohman (MV), breaks out and challenges them.
Boys
At the beginning of the year we would have thought Colonial Forge would re-take the podium this year based upon their experience and maturity. However injuries have slowed them down a bit over the last few weeks. With Dan Leyh and Nick Oltman graduating, they will be lead by Blake Arnold, Joe Mehelic, and Nick Tulloh. Sophomore Griffith Ashooh will push the seniors.
Look for Mountain View to win its first District XC Title. The team has been running strong the last few races. Mountain View returned all of their runners from last year. All-State runner Thomas Porter will anchor the team, and will be joined by Stephen Henry and Max Desens. The next battle will be between Albemarle, North Stafford and Colonial Forge. North Stafford lost, Patrick Quinn and Alec Meyer to graduation, Corey Lyons and Ryan Pooch to relocation. Lucas Hatcher will head the team, with Steven Hogdall and Kyle Garcia looking to make their marks on the team. Albemarle is hungry and is ready to race on their home course during the Region Championship.
Look for Stafford and Brooke Point to fight for that 4th regional qualifying spot if one of the other teams should falter. Stafford lost Matt Cash and John McCall, but they return Joey Murray. Brooke Point has a young squad that is led by Adam Temper, their inexperience will hurt them this year.
Individually, it should be Thomas Porter (MV) returning to defend his title. The next pack should include Arnold (CF), Hatcher (NS), Leduc (AL), Desens (MV), Henry (MV) and Tremper (BP). Runners looking to break thru will be the Browns (MV), N. Rouse (AL), Hogdall (NS), Garcia (NS), and Ashooh (CF).
Previous Team Results
Boys Girls
2005 North Stafford Colonial Forge
2004 Colonial Forge Colonial Forge
2003 Colonial Forge Brooke Point
2002 Colonial Forge Colonial Forge
2001 Albemarle Brooke Point
2000 Sherando Brooke Point
Previous Individual Winners
Girls
2005 Rachel Rose Albemarle
2004 Kaylan Comer Colonial Forge
2003 Tina Porter Colonial Forge
2002 Claire Whitneck Albemarle
2001 Kristyn Shiring North Stafford
2000 Kristen Novara James Wood
Boys
2005 Thomas Porter Mountain View
2004 Devin Cornwall Culpepper
2003 Hari Mix Albemarle
2002 Hari Mix Albemarle
2001 Mike Porter Colonial Forge
2000 Jared Prunty Sherando