Mix's Patriots Favored, Many Challengers Lerking
The Albemarle Patriot's senior Hari Mix returns for the 2003 cross country season as one of the strongest runners in Virginia. Mix also leads a supporting cast that is in positiion to capture its third regional title in four years, and contend at the state level. Niether the Patriots as a team or an individual appear dominant however, and there are multiple teams and individuals that will challenge Mix and his squad at their home course of Panorama Farms in Charlottesville October 30th.
Mix likely posted his best performance last fall at the Northwest Regional meet destorying the field and cruising to victory in a blazing time of 15:49. Mix punished defending champion Michael Porter of Colonial Forge on the challenging Panorama Course with a dominant 32 second victory margin. Mix's race may have been exceptional, however there was nothing more for the Patriots to enjoy as the team failed to advance to the state meet with a 7th place showing.
Albemarle returns its entire varsity squad this season, and Mix hopes to double his fun with both individual and team titles. The Patriots showed decent depth in 2002 placing three runners in the top 20 with Kelly Watt (13th, 17:17) and David Breen. (20th, 17:34) Both rising juniors rank among the top ten in returnees, however the difference will come with the back of Albemarle's pack. Juniors Brendan Regan and Matt McGovern must step up from 59th and 61st place finishes for the Pats to secure the title.
The defending champion, Forest Park went on to a ninth place finish at the state meet, yet took some tough hits to graduation. A solid core of their strong pack is gone with the losses of 2-4 runners, (Eric Friedlein, (14th, 17:19) Richard Bates, (15th, 17:21) and Brandon Andrews. (17th, 17:26) The Bruins must fill a tough hole, however they still return a great leader in junior Bryce Iverson.
Iverson (5th, 17:07) ran strong last fall, however he really established himself as an elite runner over the spring track season. Iverson posted PR's of a 4:23 1600M earning him a third place finish just behind Porter and Mix, and also went on to win the regional title in the 3200M. He then pushed himself to another level nearly winning the state title finishing just a few paces behind Lake Braddock state champion Steve Hoogland. Iverson took runner up honors in 9:34 defeating Mix who took 4th in a very tight finish.
Despite home course advantage, Mix will likely see Iverson in his rear view mirror as the Bruin vies for upset against the defending champ. The rest of the Bruins will hope that senior Nick Vandal (32nd, 18:06) will continue to improve after posting a 10:16 3200M last spring. Seniors William Mickolajczak (36th, 18:09) and Josh Lafleur (40th, 18:14) will also be forced to fill the holes and carry the Bruins back to the state meet.
The strongest challenger Albemarle faces as a team this season however will likely come from Garfield. The Indians suffered a heartbreaking finish last season losing out by a single point to Osbourn Park for the coveted fourth spot and trip to the state meet. Garfield returns well in tact returning six of seven runners to challenge for the regional championship.
The only void to be filled was left by No. 3 runner Peter Deanna, (24th, 17:40) and it should be covered with the great strength of the team's tight pack. Senior Chris Collins (18th, 17:27) heads a trio of front-runners with fellow Sirak Ogbagasir (22nd, 17:38) and junior Devin Hulling. (26th, 17:46) All three harriers rank among the top fifteen All-Region returnees, however once again Gar-field's bid for a regional title will depend on the second half of their pack.
Like the Patriots, the Indians have a solid front three but will depend on junior Jorge Camacho (44th, 18:27) senior Bryan Scism (68th, 19:07) and junior and younger brother Arthur Deanna (78th, 19:27) to help close last year's gap on the front-three.
E.C. Glass is another team that returns a solid group after a third place finish last season. The loss of front-runner Evan Slack (12th, 17:15) and a couple others may prevent the Hilltoppers from seriosly challenging for the regional title, however they appear in good position for another return to the state meet.
One of the tightest packs in the region returns well with the senior leadership of Christopher Hackworth. (25th, 17:43) One of the top younger runners in the state is rising sophomore Patterson Wilhelm (28th, 17:54)who went on to post a third place 9:53 3200M in the spring's regional track meet. Senior Andy Whitacre (29th, 17:55) and another strong young runner, Daniel Spanos (39th, 18:13) help balance youth and experience among a front-four only 30 seconds apart. As long as E.C. Glass finds a decent fifth they will return to November racing.
In the great sport of cross country, there are always surprises with injuries, off-races, bad conditions and many other factors that often surprise those pre-season outlooks. There are a handful of remaining competitors and teams that could very well sneak into the action in the next few months.
Colonial Forge may have taken hard hits through graduation as both lost there two front runners that placed in the region's top ten. Even without Michael Porter (2nd, 16:21) and Sean Leyh, (4th, 16:34) the Eagles have built a strong program and cannot be forgotten after their runner-up finish last season. The Forge will hope that junior Tony Nowatarski (27th, 17:52) can continue to improve upon his 10:14 3200M showing over the spring, and help build another strong squad.
The Yellow Jackets also may have lost, Anthony Arena (3rd, 16:33) and Levert James, (9th, 17:13) but still have senior Daniel Vargas (21st, 17:35) with four of their returning top seven. Osbourn Park broke some hearts with a fourth place finish last season and they still have the capabilities to sneak up again.
Other possible surprises to watch for include senior John Turner's (10th, 17:14) George Washington Danville squad. Yes, they may have finished 11th in 2002 yet the entire top five returns along with six of the top seven.
Sixth place finisher, Woodbridge, and eighth place finisher Franklin also are quiet threats in the region as each return three of their top five and four of seven. Junior Travis Carleton (16th, 17:21) will lead Woodbridge hoping to add to spring PR's of a 10:15 3200M, and 4:39 1600M.
Senior Adam Dickerson (7th, 17:13) returns as top gun for Franklin after another good spring, (9:55 3200M-5th in the region, 4:30 1600M-6th in the region) along with classmate Justin Smith (23rd, 17:38) helping to provide a solid 1-2 punch.
The list is endless. Finally though it is time to lace up the spikes and toe the line because all of this specualation will mean nothing by Halloween.