Fort Defiance boys win Lee-Davis Invite easy despite shaky fifth man

MECHANICSVILLE, VA -- With four of their top five runners within the top eight places, the Fort Defiance boys were able to easily win the Lee-Davis Invitational held at Pole Green despite a poor fifth. The Indians were led by race winner Daniel Alfonso as the junior was the only runner to dip under the Pole Green 5K course with a 16:54 clocking. Senior teammates Derek Hizer (3rd, 17:07) and Matt Bailey (4th, 17:11) were not too far behind their fellow underclassman, while freshmen Josh Ott (8th, 17:34) had a solid run as Fort Defiance\'s fourth runner. While the Indians (43 pts) were able to win with plenty of breathing room as a 45 point margin distanced them from second place Mills Godwin (88 pts), they will have to find a stronger fifth runner in order to be competitve on the Group AA state stage as senior John Wampler was the team\'s fifth finisher in 27th place at 19:03. The Douglas Freeman girls took the team crown on the girls\' side with five runners in the top 16 spots with junior Meredith Cox (2nd, 20:27), freshmen Jamie Machich (8th, 21:18), junior Sonja Lokensgard (9th, 21:20), sophomore Annie MacKinnon (11th, 21:29), and junior Laura Wallace (16th, 21:57). The Kellam girls finished 12 points out of first as they were led by third place run by senior Tara Connor (3rd, 20:36). Maggie Walker senior Samantha DeAlto took a four second victory over district rival Cox to win the girls\' individual title in a 20:23 clocking.