The Lake Braddock team with their US #20 ranked girls squad will be flying down to Tampa, Florida this weekend for the Southern Stars Invitational as the Bruins will face many of Florida's best teams and individuals. It will be Lake Braddock's second meet in a row under the lights after taking this past weekend off and running in the Brentsville Relays on September 15th. Coach Mike Mangan had hoped to have his girls face off against another nationally ranked squad in US #24 Episocpal, but they will be attending another meet. However, Lake Braddock still may be facing the best team in Florida as Ladies of Lourdes defeated Episcopal two weeks ago and will be present at the Southern Stars Invite. A win over Ladies of Lourdes and the rest of the field at Southern Stars would reaffirm Lake Braddock's national ranking and strengthen NTN hopes.
The race course at Ed Radice Park is known for producing fast times, so the Lake Braddock girls could come away with great personal bests if not first place hardware. "My understanding is the course is very flat and fast. We just hope the temperature cooperates with us a little bit and we do not get an extremely hot day," said Coach Mangan. With an 8:45 PM start time for the top varsity girls division, conditions should be less brutal than running in daylight hours.
Meanwhile, another Northern Region team in the West Potomac will be making a long trek as well out-of-state but in a completely different direction to Minnesota for the Roy Griak Invitational. The field will be loaded with some of the Midwest's top teams. The West Potomac girls started off the season highly ranked in the pre-season polls, but have struggled early on with some key runners missing and will be looking to turn things around in St. Paul.