Virginia Track & Field and Cross Country News

Great Meadow Invitational Boys' Virtual Meet Nolan Jez Aug 21, 2017

Get ready for a huge opening weekend for the VA XC season! Starting things off in a big way will be the Great Meadow Invitational up in the Plains. Running on the non-state course will be 41 teams from all over the state and multiple states as well. Leading the way team wise are the Eagles of Freedom South Riding who enter as the 5A state team favorites. Individually it should be an interesting battle between Tuscarora's Ben Nibbelink and Phillip Lambert of Stafford amongst others. 

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #3 Nolan Jez Aug 21, 2017

After two state runner-ups and one state championship Ryann Helmers enters the season as one of the fastest and most decorated runners in the entire state. The Albemarle senior boasts a best of 17:47, run on the state course, and is the top returning 5A runner on paper.

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #4 Aug 19, 2017

When you run 18:11 at Albemarle you deserve a lot of attention especially when you follow that up with a 17:49 the next week at MileStat.com's Invitational. Jodi Tolarchyk did just that last year and that put her right on the map of the VA XC scene. This year though she isn't entering as a unknown, she is entering as a favorite for the 5A state title.

New Athletes & Coaches Haven't Stopped Blacksburg From Entering The Season #1 In Our Rankings Nolan Jez Aug 18, 2017

Last year Lake Braddock gave them a run for their money but this year Blacksburg is back on top yet again. In fact, this marks the fourth year in a row that these Bruins have held this honor... well at least preseason wise. 

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #5 Nolan Jez Aug 18, 2017

After a fifth place last year at states Allison is now ready for a state title. Now we understand it is a big jump from fifth to first but when you have a personal best of 17:48 you're talking about an elite runner who on any given day can take on any runner our state has. That is exactly why Allison enters the season our #5 preseason runner.

The Team of The Century? Loudoun Valley Enters as Heavy Favorites Nolan Jez Aug 17, 2017

It is not often Virginia has a monster of a team. Now we do occasionally get some individual gems but it really hasn't happened in quite some time that we get a team of athletes who are not only contenders to make NXN but to win the whole ship.

Q & A With The Active Kitchen Host & Chef Lottie Bildirici Cory Mull Aug 17, 2017

Check out this Q & A with The Active Kitchen host and chef Lottie Bildirici.

Poll: Toughest Classification To Win States Nolan Jez Aug 17, 2017

Change has come and there has definitely been a power shift in the state. Unlike track it looks like size isn't as important as program history during XC. Check out the polls below and let us know what you are thinking about the new classifications and rankings for this season.

Preseason Countdown: Boys' Individual #4 Nolan Jez Aug 16, 2017

Now with a state title to his name in track and having made Foot Locker Nationals, Price Owens is ready to break thru and win that XC state title. He enters the season with the fastest personal best and as one of the fastest returners in years with his 15:07 best.

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #6 Nolan Jez Aug 16, 2017

Ailene may not be the quickest returning athlete but she very well could have the most upside. She has run 17:49 for 5K and most impressively went 10:48 as a frosh in the two mile two years ago. Those two times tell us one big thing, she loves the flat fast courses. That speed will bode well for her this season and that is why have her ranked 6th in our top returning list.

Consistency and Talent Propels James Madison To #2 Ranking Nolan Jez Aug 15, 2017

This year it could very well be the James Madison girls taking home that 6A state team title.

Preseason Countdown: Boys' Individual #5 Nolan Jez Aug 15, 2017

Despite facing injuries all last year Grant Northcutt just has too much talent and speed to overlook him. This year, his senior year, he will be looking for that big break-thru race at Great Meadow. He finished second as a sophomore and didn't run as a junior but still boasts a 15:21 best and is in the shape to go even faster.

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #7 Nolan Jez Aug 14, 2017

She has run 17:55 to win a state title but her most impressive performance is her 17:59 performance at the Oatlands course.

Western Albemarle: Young Talent Brings Them To #2 Preseason Ranking Nolan Jez Aug 14, 2017

Only two teams enter the season with six guys under 17 minutes and one of them is our number two preseason team. The thing though that makes them not only on pace for a huge season this year but also next year is the fact that their entire top seven returns this year. 

Preseason Countdown: Boys' Individual #6 Nolan Jez Aug 13, 2017

From 15th to 6th in our preseason rankings in just a year is quite impressive.

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #8 Nolan Jez Aug 13, 2017

After a huge year as a sophomore the now junior is ready to battle the best in the state and on her team for the state and national spotlight. Ava boasts a 17:54 best and is seriously on the cusp of greatness. She has yet to win that state title and that will certainly be one of the best things for her training this year.

Boys & Girls Preseason Top 5 Teams #3 Nolan Jez Aug 12, 2017

They may be the dark horses in their classification but they are certainly not dark horses in the entire state as they are our #3 ranked preseason teams. 

Predicted 1A State XC Competition Fields Aug 12, 2017

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields.

Predicted 2A State XC Competition Fields Aug 11, 2017

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields.

The Rose Family Uses Faith To Dominate AAU & USATF Championships Nolan Jez Aug 11, 2017

Rose family members Michaela, Michail, Michailyn, and Michael all brought home some serious hardware this summer from the USATF Championships and AAU Junior Olympic Games. In total they brought home nine medals including two golds, one silver, and three bronzes.

Predicted 3A State XC Competition Fields Nolan Jez Aug 10, 2017

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields.

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #9 Nolan Jez Aug 10, 2017

After multiple team title runner-ups and three state runner-ups, Loudoun Valley's Natalie Morris is certainly ready to take home that state title. This season she enters as our #9 returning star in the entire state and second amongst 4A competitors. She is though the fastest returning state course runner this year in 4A.

Preseason Countdown: Boys' Individual #7 Nolan Jez Aug 10, 2017

Phillip may not have had one of the best XC or indoor seasons but by outdoor season it was very apparent that he was the real deal. Over the past few months the Stafford star tallied up an undefeated record in the 3200 and even took home the 5A state title in 9:11.

Preseason Countdown: Girls' Individual #10 Nolan Jez Aug 09, 2017

Parker is fast and really on the rise.

Boys & Girls Preseason Top 5 Teams #4 Nolan Jez Aug 09, 2017

Below is just the start of our very competitive top fives. Check them all out over the coming weeks. Check out the #5 rankings right here!

Preseason Countdown: Boys' Individual #8 Nolan Jez Aug 08, 2017

Following those trends we are predicting a big season from Colton and expect his improvements over distances to keep improving. We know we are being bold here but sub 15 could very well be in his future. 

Predicted 4A State XC Competition Fields Nolan Jez Aug 08, 2017

Though the state meet will be the same size, the makeup of who is running and where they are from will be a whole lot different. Instead of two regions advancing six teams and 10 individuals it will be four regions advancing three teams and five individuals. Below are our pre-season predicted state fields. 

Dear Younger Me: Alexi Pappas Alexi Pappas Aug 08, 2017

Olympian (and movie star) Alexi Pappas has some detailed advice for her teenage self.

Preseason Countdown: Boys' Individual #9 Nolan Jez Aug 07, 2017

This year though Derek is on a mission he returns as the second seed in all of 5A by only a second. Yared of Edison enters as the top seed but behind both of them are quite a few juniors who are also looking for that big break thru.

Preseason Top 5 Team Countdown: #5 Nolan Jez Aug 06, 2017

The thing that makes XC the best season for many is the undeniable team aspect of the sport. Though you can win national titles and state titles all while setting records as an individual, it truly takes five guys or girls to bring home a team trophy in cross country.