Not only does Team VA have some potential All-American relays but we have some serious national champion favorites. The biggest of these favorites has to be the Western Branch Girls shuttle hurdle relay team. They will have their hands full with Miami NW and potentially another VA team or two but if this team does what they are capable of and runs clean, don't only expect a national title, expect a national record.
The Bruins will also have a couple shots at putting some more teams on the podium this weekend. Aside from fielding an expected three teams in the shuttle hurdles, they will also have some strong sprint relays. The strongest of these being the 4x100 where they rank US #11. This is significant since they've only ran their "A" team once this season.
These ladies will also have some strong shots at victories in the 4x2, 1000m Swedish Relay and maybe even the 4x4. They will be joined in these races by none other than Team War. The most exciting of them being a potential showdown in the Swedish relay (1-2-3-4). This race could also feature Sydney McLaughlin of Union Catholic.
In the longer events Lake Braddock's girls will look for magic one last time in the distance medley relay with their full "A" squad back together. In the longest race, the 4xMile, VA will see Blacksburg, E.C. Glass, West Springfield, and Western Albemarle all fighting for All-American honors.
Western Branch will be leading things on the boys side as well. They enter the meet as strong favorites or at least co-favorites in the 4x1, 4x2, 800m SMR, Swedish Relay, and Shuttle Hurdle Relay. They will have some recognizable competition from Potomac Senior in the 4x1, Bethel and Prince George in the Swedish, and Nansemond River in the 800m SMR.
This could also be a huge meet for the Phoebus Phantoms fresh off their 3A state team title. This quartet will look to move up the all-time list and potential podium as well in the 4x400 with three underclassmen on their relay.
Finally in the distance events it looks like Team VA's best hope will come in the distance medley relay with Deep Run and Lake Braddock. Both teams have strong 1-2 punches and strong kicks. Last year's race came down to the final strides and this one might as well which means VA could go 1-2 or 5-6 and its going to come down to the line.