Spotswood boys, Ott win Massanutten District titles

Alex Ott did not move or change schools, but his school at Turner Ashby moved into a new district to allow him to add a Massanutten District cross country title to his now defunct Valley District individual title from last year. The Turner Ashby junior was challenged by Harrisonburg's Bryant Clopper, but able to pull away for the win in a battle between two All-State Group AA caliber runners. Clopper had beaten Ott at the Runnin' With The Wolves Rocktoberfest two Saturdays ago just as the Harrisonburg and Turner Ashby boys had beaten the Spotswood boys in the same race. Despite being the third finishing team in the district in their last invitational race, the Spotswood boys (pictured right by Tom Hoerner) used the power of their tight pack to claim the district championship on Tuesday afternoon at New Market Battlefield. Girls team champions from Massanutten were Broadway's Margaret Richards and the Turner Ashby girls. As a senior, Richards was competing in her first district cross country championships although has had past success on the track including a 11:35 3200 meter time as a freshmen. Complete results to come soon.