Northwest Region Meet Preview

Girls

In the girls\' team race, look for Colonial Forge to repeat, especially after their impressive win at the Commonwealth Districts. You can expect to see Kaye Comer and Molly Hawkins back from sickness. KC Wade ran inspired as she and the rest of the team, Jordan Zarrone, Laura Bryant, Katie Nigrell, and Kelly Doescher picked up the slack at Districts. Brooke Point will be right on their heels once again, as they are led by Brittany Copeland. Brittany Wilhelm, Kelly Leonard and were joined by freshman Kaitlyn Brown for the All-District team this year. Albemarle will be in the hunt, as they are led by returning champion Rachel Rose. Based upon last week\'s race, Rachel is progressing back to racing form. Expect her and Liz Barclay to take the early lead, Albemarle is always tough on their home course, they seem to run inspired at Panorama Farms. Catherine Dame keeps the team in the limelight, but will their 4th and 5th runners hurt them in a bigger race? The race of the day will be for the elusive 4th qualifying spot, which team will race that day? In the hunt will be Forest Park and Osbourn Park ,

OP is led by two freshman, Ariel Karabinus (Cedar Run Champion) and Ashley Wybersky, can the young team close the gap and secure a spot or will their inexperience catch up to them. Forest Park has the experience, they are led by Erin Caskey and Sarah McGee, the rest of their pack is less than a minute behind.

Other teams to watch will be the two teams from the Western Valley District, Patrick Henry and EC Glass, both have solid packs. Kate and Carter Norbo will lead PH, however, their 5th runner will have to step it up in this bigger meet. EC Glass has an even tighter pack will help them this race, they pushed thru districts within almost a minute of each other. Mountain View still has a strong 1-2 punch with Heather Lambert and Emma Bohman, can the rest of the pack rise to the occasion again will be the question.

Individually, look for Rachel Rose and Liz Barclay (ALB) to be in the lead from the start of the gun Rachel will run inspired on her home course, and of course being her senior year she will want to finish off with a win. Liz will be right behind her, assisting and pushing her teammate to the finish line. Brittany Copeland will be on their heels the whole race. She won\'t let them get the gap on her this time around. The next pack of runners will include Kelly Reinwald (NS), KC Wade (CF), Comer (CF) and Hawkins (CF) (see how the CF runners rebound from the flu), Lambert (MV), Zarone (CF) and Michele Britto (WB). Runners pushing to make All-Region will be Brittany Wilhelm (BP), Bohman (MV), the Norbo\'s (PH), Karabinus and Wybersky (OP) Grace Loba from Fauquier and Caskey and McGee from FP.

Boys

After being shut out of last year\'s Regions, Forest Park hopes to redeem itself. Their sweep of the Cardinal District makes them an early favorite despite the rankings, their top runner, Zack Williams, didn\'t even compete at the Cardinal Districts. If they are the front runners after the first mile of this race, lookout! The other teams will be racing for second. They are lead by Ryan Shea and Zack Williams, the two of them will be pushing the pace from the start. Osbourn Park had a great showing at the Cedar District, as they seem to have found that elusive 5th runner since the last rankings. Their pack has now tightened up to almost a minute. Tyler Simmons, Josh Renton Richard Arena and John Draper make them an almost lock to make it to States. The other team that will make it to States is Mountain View . The team is anchored by Thomas Porter and Max Desens, with the rest of the tight pack not far behind. If Forest Park should falter MV and OP will be ready to take the team trophy.

The battle for that 4th spot is up in the air. If North Stafford runs another inspirational race like Districts, they will be moving on. Watch for Lucas Hatcher, Stephen Hogdahl, and Kyle Garcia to keep them in the hunt. The other two teams on the bubble are Colonial Forge and EC Glass. Can CF over come the injuries that have plagued the team to qualify? Forge is led by Blake Arnold and will be battling Nathan Richards (ECG) not only for the team title but individually as well.

Individually, it would be easy to pencil in Thomas Porter (MV), but, Nathan Richards (ECG), R. Shea and Z. Williams (FP) will challenge him the whole race. The next pack should include Arnold (CF), Hatcher (NS), Desens (MV), Simmons and Renton (OP) and Glen Weaver from Osbourn. Runners looking to break thru will be the Browns (MV), N. Rouse (AL), Hogdall (NS), Garcia (NS), Tremper (BP), Story (MV), Arena (OP), Burris and Blizzard (FP).

Previous Team Results

     Boys                Girls

2005 North Stafford      Colonial Forge

2004 Colonial Forge      Brooke Point

2003 Forest Park         Forest Park

2002 Forest Park         Colonial Forge

2001 Albemarle           Woodbridge

2000 Albemarle           Brooke Point


Previous Individual Winners


Girls

2005 Rachel Rose       Albemarle

2004 Stefanie Slekis   Forest Park

2003 Beth Fahey        Forest Park

2002 Jemissa Hess      CD Hylton

2001 Jemissa Hess      CD Hylton

2000 Jemissa Hess      CD Hylton


Boys

2005 Devin Cornwall    Culpepper

2004 Patterson Wilhelm EC Glass