Third Battle Preview: Time For Some Fast Times

Teams to Watch

In no particular order....

Loudoun Valley High School: Depth is the name of the game for the returning Class 4 state champion team as they bring only 3 of their top 7 runners to this year's Third Battle Invitational, but still plan to contend for the team championship.  Led by Elise Abbe, the Vikings look to put their entire team well under 20 minutes. The full Viking team most recently raced at Great American, coming in 2nd to Great Oak High School of California, where Abbe ran 18:18, followed by today's teammates who ran 19:27, 19:30, 19:39, and 19:42.    

West Springfield High School: The defending Class 6 state champions are led by two sub-19 runners in Amy Herrema (18:36) and Katie Orchard (18:52). The Spartans look to defend their 2018 Third Battle title and may pose a serious threat to Loudoun Valley's team if they can tighten up their 1-5 split.  Look for Rachel Mayberry (19:47) to be joined by Cordelia Curb and Riley Sucato in a push for sub-20.  

Stone Bridge High School:  The Bulldogs boast a team 1-5 spread of only 1:17, starting with a 19:06 from senior Suzie Muller.  If the pack can move forward a few points each, they also may contend for a team title.

Lake Braddock High School:  We are excited to see this Class 6 powerhouse make its first trip to Third Battle.  Much like Stone Bridge, Lake Braddock brings a tightly bunched 1-5, separated by just over a minute.  Unlike the teams aheadof them, they did not run their season bests on the Great American course, but rather back in mid-September at the Adidas XC Challenge on the same course a couple weeks prior.  Look for #1 girl Emilia Doran to push for her first sub-19 to get things started for the Bruins.

Individuals to Watch

Bethany Graham, John Champe HS:  The senior from John Champe has a nearly flawless season with 4 invitational wins in Great Meadows, Pole Green, Oatlands, and Octoberfest Invitationals.  Her only loss, a 3rd place at Great American, still resulted in a season best time of 17:09, which ranks her 1st in Virginia and 15th nationally. Graham ran, and led, only the first mile of the Third Battle Invite last year before reaggravating an ankle injury and dropping out.   You can be sure that she plans to not only redeem herself, but to stamp her name into the record books in the 2019 Third Battle Invitational. 

Ellie Desmond, Broad Run HS:  Desmond comes into Third Battle only one week removed from a phenomenal PR race at Albemarle Invitational where she used her 2:14 800m speed in a huge kick through the final 1000m to run away with a course record in 17:56, her first time under 18 minutes.  Desmond has also won the Loudoun County Championships and Chancellor Invitational this fall. This 4:50 miler looks to be peaking at the right time!

Elise Abbe, Loudoun Valley HS:  Although she has only two 5ks under her belt this season, Abbe has produced a time of 18:18 this season at Great American, second only to her PR of 18:08 from last year's Third Battle Invitational.  Look for Abbe to challenge the 18 minute barrier this year.