Richmond Area Recap: States
This week was states week and it did not disappoint. Colby Burcham won his second consecutive title as the Deep Run girls stole first place, Maggie Walker continued their dominance, and Mary Caroline Heinen destroyed her competition.
Class 3A: This classification was dominated by Maggie Walker, who won the girls' side by 14 points and placed third on the guys' side. The girls were led by senior standout Mary Caroline Heinen who won by a comfortable 54 second margin (17:52) to claim her third consecutive state title. Freshman Brenna Luczak followed up in 11th place (19:23), earning all-state honors as well. Senior Josie Greer, freshman Grace Pershing, and sophomore Alexis Bartee all packed closely together with times of 19:36, :41, and :42 respectively (places 19, 21,22).
The boys were led by senior Ben Neuwirth in 24th (16:28), sophomore Ben Blanchard in 27th, and senior Miles Nardi in 30th (16:28, :34, and :50). Sophomores Quinn Neary and Everette Flora finished up the top five in 52nd and 62nd.
Class 4A: The only Richmond team participating in the 4A meet was Patrick Henry (Ashland). They placed sixth on the boys' side and seventh on the girls'. Senior Emily Morris was the sole all-state runner, placing eight overall with a time of 18:43.
Class 5A: Class 5A contained more Richmond teams, and did not disappoint. Their boys placed second, losing to Albemarle (86-52). They were led by repeat state champion Colby Burcham who won comfortably, leaving the pack behind by nearly 20 seconds (15:36). He was followed by eighth place senior Jordan Bendura (16:13) and 12th place sophomore Michael Tull (16:17). Seniors Kenneth Concepcion and Connor Zebrowski rounded out the top five at 37th and 48th place (16:52 and 17:04).
The girls team stole a down-to-the-wire race against favorite Midlothian high school (65-67). They were led by sixth place freshman Sidney Walters (19:11) and 13th place sophomore Janie Sanborn (19:30). Seniors Eva Brooks and Paula Preda were 18th and 19th with times 19:43 and 19:47; they were followed by 22nd place junior Makenzie Steele (19:58).
Midlothian's girls, then, were second; sophomore Gabriella Garcia headed the charge in second (18:39) followed by freshman Kylie Bonser in fifth (18:56). Juniors Caroline Bowe and Katherine Krievs were 15th and 29th with times of 19:34 and 20:16, and sophomore Nicole Quiram was 31st (20:28).
Between Midlo's and Deep Run's girls, they will graduate three members of their top sevens and only two from their top fives (both Deep Run). Both teams have a sophomore and a freshman as their top two, and Midlothian will not graduate a single member of their top six. This promises to be an intense matchup for the next several years; even barring any improvements, which are bound to happen, these will be two very potent teams.
Glen Allen continued to be consistent, posting a seventh-place finish for the girls and sixth for the boys. L.C. Bird finished in a strong fourth place behind First Team All-State performances from senior Brendan Taylor (fourth) and junior Jacob Plummer (sixth).
All-State: Rachel Mudd (Atlee), 7th-19:21; Karson Girvin (Douglas Freeman), 9th-19:29.
Class 6A: Cosby's boys finished seventh behind all-state member Garrett Schultz (15th, 16:17). Their girls finished sixth. Junior Lindsey Hester from James River (Midlothian) was the lone all-state performer on the girls' side, finishing sixth (18:50).