Bethesda, MD— The lines are drawn and the Cross Country Battlefield is set. Girls and Boys from Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia will face off and determine whose “home” can claim the title of Best in Cross Country along the Potomac River. “Our event (XC BORDER WAR) is now established on the post-season high school cross country calendar. It was only right to formally add the other state and homeland bordering the Potomac River to the Battle of the Potomac”, commented Dave Watt, Event Director.
For the first time in the short four year history of the Battle of the Potomac Cross Country Championship, now nicknamed the “XC BORDER WAR”, runners from West Virginia and the District of Columbia will compete for the POTOMAC XC CUP. “As long as there are 10 competitors in either the Boys or Girls Seeded races, they will score for WV or DC”, added Watt.
Top Boys from Maryland include:
*Robby Creese, Glenelg High School, the Maryland 2A State Champion
*Nic Escobar of Magruder, All State in the MD 4A State Championship
*Kyle Graves, Runner-up in the WCAC and the MD-DC Private Schools State Championship
*Jamie Durling, All-State and #2 runner for St Albans at the MD-DC Private Schools State Championship
*Evan Laratta, #1 runner for Quince Orchard HS and All-State in the MD 3A State Championship
*Stephen Keith, #1 runner for Walkersville HS and All-State in the MD 2A State Championship
*Nick Rowe, top Runner for Calvert Hall College HS in Baltimore and All-State in the DC-MD State Championship
Top Girls entered for Maryland include:
*Maura Linde, Maryland 2A State Champion and highest returning finisher at the XC BORDER WAR 3 (2008)
*Stephanie Joson, #1 runner for Quince Orchard HS; All-State in the MD 3A Championship
*Anna Bosse, Maryland 4A 3rd place All-State Finisher and the 2008 4A State Champion
Top Boys from Virginia include:
*Jack Strabo, All-State for Landon School in the DC-MD Private School State Championship (lives in VA)
*Jack Jasper, All-State runner for Herndon HS in the VA AAA State Championship
*Billy Burns, All State from Bishop Ireton in the VA Private School State Championship
*Liam O’Connor, All State from Bishop Ireton in the VA Independent School State Championship
*Colin Taylor, All Region (Northern) and #1 boy for West Springfield (may scratch)
*Alex Clark, #1 runner for Lake Braddock Secondary and All-Region (Northern)
*Tammy Cheung, All State runner from Potomac Falls HS in the VA AA State Championship
Top Girls and Boys competing for the District of Columbia
*Thomas Harrison, the #1 runner for St Albans and All-State finisher at the DC-MD State Championship
*Angela Bonham, #1 runner for Dunbar HS and the DCIAA Champion
Top Girls and Boys registered to run for West Virginia
*LucasGreza, All-State in the WV AAA State Championship
*Patrick Stanton, All-State in the WV AAA State Championship
*Alison Kimble, All-State in the WV AAA State Championship
Amenities for all races:
- Barbecue chicken dinner (registered runners only)
- Singlet or race t-shirt
- Medals or awards to top 15 finishers in all races
- DJ and dancing post-race!
Race details and rules: Champion Chip timing for all runners by Runners High (www.runhigh.com). The course is a double loop 5K. There is one significant hill and the terrain is mostly cut grass. Runners may wear spikes. All registered runners must wear the VA or MD Battle of the Potomac t-shirt or singlet. USA Track & Field rules are in effect.
The Battle of the Potomac XC Championships is produced by the Bethesda, MD - based American Running Association (ARA). “We see the Battle of the Potomac XC Championship Meet as a perfect event to entice more kids into running. All event proceeds help produce this meet and our free youth walk-run training programs”, added Watt. ARA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1968 to promote healthy living and active lifestyles among all Americans. It is dedicated to supporting runners through education and specialized programs, as well as encouraging all individuals from youths to adults to run and be fit. For more information about the ARA or to learn more about the Walk and Run programs, visit www.americanrunning.org.