The 2018 cross country season is about to start with a bang. This weekend on the hilly, non-state, course at Great Meadow in The Plains we are going to be treated with a stellar invitational featuring over 30 different teams from three different states.
Highlighting the action will definitely be the Saratoga Springs girls from New York and Loudoun Valley boys. Though we are doubtful either squad will run all their varsity runners, they both do have enough depth to make you watch.
Girls Virtual Meet
Leading the way for Saratoga is national champion Kelsey Chmiel who is also one of the top returning XC runners in the entire nation. Her personal best in XC is 16:50, run last year.
Her greatest competition will come from Ellie Desmond (Broad Run), Ava Hassebrock (Tuscarora) and Julia Ghiselli (Annandale). Ghiselli currently owns the second fastest time ever on this course behind Chmiel who set the record two years ago as a sophomore.
Team wise Saratoga should run away with the team title as they are early season favorites for the NXN title. Expect a few other VA teams though to run strong and have a close battle for second.
Boys Virtual Meet
In the guys' race you should expect a great season preview in what should be a race of rising stars. This race will likely not have any of Valley's top three so expect some new names to make a name for themselves this weekend.
Max Etka (Midlothian), Rylan Pettit (Woodgrove), and Paul Sepulveda (Stafford) are all names you should watch. Team wise keep an eye on Midlothian, Dominion, Patriot, and Herndon.