Writeup
By Tom Crosson, MileStat.com Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 5, 2001
BURKE, VA -- The weather at Burke Lake 2.98 mile Cross-Country course was extremely hot last Wednesday, but that didn't stop #11 ranked senior Richard Smith of South Lakes and #3 ranked junior Kelly Swain of Lake Braddock from cruising to victories.
The boys race was not decided until the last 200 meters, as Smith outkicked Camp of Hayfield for a time of 15:38. Camp was not far behind with a time of 15:40. The top 20 finishers all ran under 16:30 with the top six of those runners going sub-16:00. In third place was junior Steve Hoogland of Lake Braddock with a final time of 15:49. Hoogland ran individually while the rest of Lake Braddock's top seven took the day off from racing in preparation for the Race of the Great Bay held Saturday.
The boy's team title went to #5 ranked West Springfield. The Springfield team handily won with a final score of 67 points. They ran quite well even without the aid of top runner James Feeney, who has mono. They placed three of their runners in the top twelve spots; juniors Jeff Day (15:54), John Cook (16:04), and Ryan (16:18).
Suprisingly finishing second was the boys of Robinson with a score of 83. They managed this feat by placing four runners in the top 21. The Robinson team lost four of their top seven to graduation last year, including stand out runners, LA Snead and Brian Dumm. Sixty-six points behind Robinson was Westfield with a score of 149 to round out the top three teams.
On the girls side, junior Kelly Swain dominated the race by commanding a 200 meter lead by the two mile mark. She raced as an individual and finished with a final time of 18:10. A full minute behind Swain was Hart of Herndon who ran a 19:10 for second place. Close behind at 19:16 was Bellis of South Lakes, who finished third.
It came to no suprise at all that the Lady Rams of Robinson won the team title with a score of 61 points. They accomplished this by placing juniors Sam Ferrence (19:24), Bonnie Axman (19:58), and senior Michelle Awtrey (20:01) all in the top 15. Far behind was South Lakes and Hayfield who both tied with a score of 113 points. By going to their sixth runners, South Lakes edged Hayfield for the number two spot.