Boys' Varsity A Individuals Preview
Meet Page - Race Assignments - Virtual Meets
This will be the race of the year. It really could be the best race all year including states. Headlining this race is Foot Locker Finalist Waleed Suliman. Though he enters the meet seeded 4th, his 15:15 clocking last year is the best returning time for this meet and fourth all-time for the meet.
He has raced only twice this year and won both races. He looked particularly good when he ran 15:42 on the Woods Course at Pole Green and seemingly didn't even break a sweat. His fitness looks to be the best it ever has been and that is saying a lot for the national runner-up in the mile.
Waleed is also the defending 5A State XC Champion.
Time is likely something Waleed is going to be after this weekend and if he wants to shatter the 15:00 barrier, this course and race will be the place to do it.
The competition is definitely going to be there for Waleed as he will be racing against current VA #1, #2, #5, #8, #9, #10, #11, #13, and #15.
His toughest competitors will be Konrad Steck (Lafayette), Peter Smith (Oscar Smith), Grant Northcutt (Cosby), and Saurav Velleleth (Thomas Jefferson S&T). They are all familiar with each other and should be prepared for a fast race.
Last year's race went out in 4:45 then 5:02 and then a blistering 5:14 to close the last 1.14 miles. That time added up to a 14:56 course, facility, and meet record for Jonathan Lomogda.
It looks like three or maybe even four guys could break that record this weekend.
One thing though is for sure, if anyone wants to beat Waleed they should not leave it to a sprint to the line. He has unbelievable speed and can out kick anyone in this race. He could be out raced but he won't get out kicked.
Steck is a strong runner and one of the best runners in the nation. If he has a good race he will be sub 15 and that would definitely put him in contention. Northcutt also has a lot of predigree and just like the other two guys has had a shortened season. This means he is fresh and healthy for a huge race.
Boys' Virtual Meet Rankings (1,000 Deep for this meet)
Velleleth and actually a couple other guys including Bashir Mosavel-Lo, John Mackey, and Derek Johnson will all be working together to try and make a strong move in the middle portion of this race. Obviously no one is going to open in 4:30 so it looks like that the best time to make a move will be between 2,000m and 3,5000m into the race for these guys.
Though they don't have the times Waleed does, they are some of the best runners in the state and state champions. These guys know how to win and cannot be brushed easily aside.
Lastly is the dark horse of the entire season, Peter Smith. His personal best is 15:47 but do not be surprised to see him running near, if not under, 15:00 this weekend. If you look at his constant progression you can see he is due for a huge XC performance and it could finally come this weekend as he will finally be facing a lot of tough competition on a fast course.
This race is going to be huge and likely will produce national headlines and could be an instant classic. Look for the rankings to look totally different after this race where we will have a new state, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, and 1A leader.
We have also heard word of Rohann Asfaw (MD) potentially entering the competition. If he is entered then you are talking about another Foot Locker National caliber athlete infused into this race. He is the reigning Oatlands Champion as well.