VHSL State Championships: Stevens 17:34 CR, Braddock & Hidden Valley end Midlo & Blacksburg's streak

 

Results: Group A Boys - Group A Girls - Group AA Boys - Group AA Girls - Group AAA Boys - Group AAA Girls - Combined Boys - Combined Girls

 

 

Photo Galleries - Over 4,500 photos!

Photo Gallery by Brandon Miles - Over 2,000 photos from all races. 

Photo Gallery by Linda D'Amato - 363 photos from AAA races only.

Photo Gallery by Tom Hoerner - 370 photos from A & AA races only.

Photo Gallery by Nicoll Knudsen - 691 photos from AA & A races. AAA to be added.

Photo Gallery by Frank Locascio - 830 photos from A & AA races only.

Photo Gallery by Taylor Skelton - 125 photos from all races.

Photo Gallery by Andrew Kicinski - 188 photos from AAA & AA races only.

 

 

Race Videos

Race Videos by Andy Paisley: Group AAA Boys - Group AAA Girls - Group AA Boys - Group AA Girls - Group A Boys - Group A Girls 

Race Videos by Brandon Miles: Group AAA Boys - Group AAA Girls - Group AA Boys - Group AA Girls - Group A Boys - Group A Girls

 

Video Interviews by Brandon Miles: Ted Richardson (James River) - Kaitlin Davis (Mountain View) - Kyle King (Grafton) - Joanna & Kathleen Stevens (Blacksburg) - Adam Owens (Clarke County) - Katlyn Ayers (Strasburg) - Matt Howard (Blacksburg)

 

Very poor and muddy course conditions, which got progressively worse as the day went on. The largest classification Group AAA were the last races of the day. Times slowed by at least 15-20 seconds if not more based off last year's results in ideal course conditions. Temperature was ideal in the 50s with cloud cover, except for the last half of the Group AA girls when the sun came out and several runners struggled to get to the line including two of Blacksburg's key scorers.

Course record by Kathleen Stevens (17:34) of Blacksburg. Previous record 17:38 set last by Megan Marsico (2008 Foot Locker South runner-up). Twin sister Joanna Stevens was second in the Group AA girls race in 17:39.

 

(Photo by Nicoll Knudsen)

Midlothian girls streak of 4 AAA state titles and Blacksburg girls streak of 3 AA titles are snapped by Lake Braddock and Hidden Valley respectively. Lake Braddock was the major upset of the day as their freshmen Sophie Chase led the charge literally with a hot pace to put herself in front and held on for a third place finish as Lake Braddock added a ninth state title to their rich history of state championship excellence. Hidden Valley had a slower team average than Blacksburg by 17 seconds, yet still found a way to win with five runners among the top 25.

 

(Photo by Nicoll Knudsen)

No drama to determine boys team champions as Mountain View (AAA), Blacksburg (AA), and Clarke County (A) dominate their respective classifications with Mountain View posting a team average of 16:33.

Ted Richardson of James River won in a well packed AAA boys race till late with the day's fastest performance in 15:34 as Western Branch's Blake Theroux had made the move to break up the pack with 1200 meters to go and finished runner-up with a time of 15:38.

A thrilling finish for Group AA boys as early race leader Colin Mearns of Jamestown collapsed in the final 150 meters and Kyle King of Grafton seized upon the opportunity as the 16:01 winner.

 

More to come!

 

Gallery of Champions

Photos by Nicoll Knudsen

 

Group AAA Boys Individual Champion

Ted Richardson (James River) 15:34

 

Group AAA Girls Individual Champion

Kaitlyn Davis (Mountain View) 18:21

 

Group AA Boys Individual Champion

Kyle King (Grafton) 16:01

 

Group AA Girls Individual Champion

Kathleen Stevens (Blacksburg) 17:34 Course Record!

 

Group A Boys Individual Champion

Adam Owens (Clarke County) 16:32

 

Group A Girls Individual Champion

Katlyn Ayers (Strasburg) 19:03

 

 

Below are the performances entered for the meet that met the national silver standard.

86 National Elites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to come!