Top VA Group AAA Boys XC Returnees

Oakton's Joe Lorusso (pictured right by Ted Plunkett) led a valiant charge by his team to reload fast from the loss of five 2005 AAA state champion team members. Oakton finished second to Midlothian to return back to the podium over teams who had more runners with state meet experience. The graduation losses are not as severe for Coach Phil Tiller's squad this fall with six runners back who ran under 10 minutes for 3200 meters this past spring to rank as the deepest team in the state for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Midlothian is top heavy  as the Trojans return three All-State runners in Jason Witt, Mark Merritt, and Michael Hammond. The key for top challengers to the defending champs from Midlothian in Oakton and Mountain View is if one or two runners can develop into All-State caliber to matchup closely.  Witt and Mountain View's Thomas Porter appear to be in a separate class from the remaining AAA boys individuals as the top two returnees from the state race and two of the ...