Week 1
The first test of the season for most teams in the Eastern Region came on Saturday with the annual Newport News Invitational, which is run on the Eastern Region's regional course.
Boys
"A" race- Derrick Robbins of Woodside High School ran the fastest time of the day to win the "A" race with a 15:41. Despite not having any competition, Robbins ran a phenomenal time on the region course. Hickory edged by Western Branch by one point to take 5th of 9 teams. Hickory's Chris Ward ran a 17:13 to lead the top 3 in a 47 second spread (17:13-17:50). Hickory's top 7 placed in front of Western Branch's top 5 to make up for Western Branch's top 4 placing ahead of Hickory's top 4. Adam Hutton led Western Branch with a 3rd place finish (16:13). Transfers from Texas to Western Branch, the Irving brothers placed 15th and 31st. Kempsville was the first place Beach District team in the "A" race placing 7th with 142 points.
"B" race-Gloucester was the first place Eastern Region team placing 2nd with 63, falling to MWGS by 1 point. Gloucester was lead by freshman Blaine O'Reilly who placed 5th with a 17:24 clocking and leading a pack of 5 within 64 seconds of each other and a top four 34 seconds from each other. Gloucester's average time was 3rd overall and would have put them ahead of James River in the "A" race. Landstown (Beach District) was 4th with 104 points and having their front runner, sophomore Jon Bunker win the "B" race in 16:51.
"C" race-Great Bridge was the first place Eastern Region team and was led by Chaz Henderson who placed 6th in 17:35.
Southeastern District
Beach District
Peninsula District
Eastern District
Girls
Many of the girl's teams likewise kicked off their season with the Newport News Invitational.
"A" Race-Kempsville (Beach District) placed fifth with 141 points in the "A" race against some impressive opponents like James River. Kempsville was led by Cherie Raite who placed 17th in 21:27. Defending Southeastern district champion Hickory was sixth with 148 points and was led freshman Chelsea Schweers who placed 9th in 20:55. Fellow Hickory freshman Christina Locher was 11th in 21:00. Bethel placed 7th and was led by Charisse Bullock who placed 14th in 21:14. Princess Anne (Beach District) placed 8th with 223 points and was led by freshman Alana Winsper who placed 23rd in 21:40. Denbigh placed 9th with 268 points
"B" Race-Gloucester Freshman Emily Webb won the "B" race in 19:48 nearly 30 seconds ahead of the second runner. Salem (Beach District) placed third with 126 points and was led by senior Yatendra Burke who placed 5th in 20:45. First Colonial (Beach District) placed 7th with 177 points and led by Kristen Davidson (33rd 22:35). Woodside (Peninsula District) placed 10th with 240 points and was led by Andrea Muller (4th 20:42) but the next scorer was about 90 seconds back. Landstown (Beach District) placed 11th with 244 points.
"C" Race-Great Bridge (Southeastern District) placed first with 86 points. Led by Katie Tobin (1st 20:32), the Great Bridge pack put 4 runners in the top 10 (20:32-22:54). Warwick (Peninsula District) placed 3rd with 110 points and was led by freshman Jessica Giffon (2nd 20:33). Churchland (Eastern District) placed 6th and Gloucester (Peninsula District) placed 10th.
Southeastern District
Beach District
Peninsula District
Eastern District