Finally we are going to get the race we have been waiting for all year. This race, which will likely be in less-then-ideal conditions should be the race of the year. Not only will this race be the race of the year but this could be the biggest regional-week race ever in the state of Virginia. This race truly has national implications. Currently speaking (11/3) Libby is ranked 13th and Weini is ranked 32nd nationally with their season bests. Now that we know this is going to be one heck of a race, let's meet the competitors.
Libby Davidson VA #1 17:07
Libby had a great freshman year last year racking up all the state titles she could get and even some national titles for the non-championship division. She really turned it on though this summer and hasn't looked back. She leads the entire state with her personal and season best of 17:07 from Great American a few weeks ago. She has compiled quite the trophy case this fall alone too. So far, she has won Great American, Knights Crossing, MileStat.com XC, Conference 24, and Adidas XC. She has not been beat this year. She is one of two girls who can say that in Virginia this year.
Weini Kelati VA #2 17:28
Weini is that other girl... she is not only unbeaten this year but she is also undeniably great. She comes into this meet as the "underdog" but really isn't an underdog for anyone who knows about her 3K... In the 5K though she has been unbeaten this year winning DCXC, Oatlands, Loudoun County Public Schools, Conference 21, and Third Battle. She also won the 4K race at Manhatten this year too where she now sits 20th all-time. Aside from Oatlands where she stopped and tied her shoes twice, she has ran sub 18 in every single race this year and won them all too. Though her 17:28 season pr in the 5K is a very impressive mark... her truly impressive mark is her 9:12 3,000m pr. Aside from Mary Cain the closest American finisher was more then 17 second behind (Stephanie Jenks) who had posted a high school best time of 16:37 in the 5K. That shows you how amazing Weini really is.
Though this race will not decide the state title. It will be quite a show to see who is ready for the post-season. This could actually be the first of four head-to-head matchups between the pair of these girls. We will definitely see both of them at states then likely both at Foot Locker South and Nationals. Of course it is an even number of matchups so that they will each have two going into track... or will they? The best thing about this matchup is not only that these are both young and talented runners that will meet many times in the future, but it is the fact that it has taken so long for them to finally square off. This is truly something that happens only once in a decade where two unbeatens meet in November.