.JPG)
Albemarle Invitational Recap 10/11CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- Christiansburg's Kirsten Hagen set yet another course record en route to individual victory at the Albemarle Invitational with her 18:28.77 clocking. Hagen set a blistering early pace with a 5:24 first mile and continued to build on her large early lead. Hagen's closest competitior was Stonewall Jackson's Kristin Milot, who took runner-up honors with a time of 19:31.04. The top three finishers in the boys' race just might as well all be crowned state champions in November. Albemarle senior Hari Mix showed his top game and why many considered him a pre-season favorite to win the AAA state title as he ran away with the boys' race in a winning time of 15:35.35. Mix's time is currently the fastest 5K in the state. AA #1 ranked Justin Hatch of Christiansburg took runner-up honors in a time of 15:50.79 and A #1 ranked Todd Somers of Page County finished third overall in a time of 16:04.23. The Fort Defiance boys dominated the team scoring as they won by a 100 point margin over Christiansburg (95-195 pts) as they were led by freshmen Michael Clifton (9th, 16:40.95). The Colonial Forge girls (67 pts) won out in a close team battle with Brooke Point (73 points) as Tina Porter (5th, 20:23.59), Molly Hawkins (6th, 20:29.31), and Emily Mertz (11th, 20:48.44) led the Lady Eagles with top 15 finishes.