When we look back at the start of the season there was one storyline that had us thinking everything we were used to was about to change. That storyline was whether Blacksburg was going to maker the state meet, let alone make the podium. Spoiler alert, the Bruins swept states!
Week after week, Blacksburg got better this season. At MileStat the boys looked nothing short of dominant but the girls definitely had some room to grow. They were also in the region of death for Class 4 so it seemed at least partway through the season that this teams had a ceiling.
We couldn't have been more wrong.
The boys took care of business but it wasn't a cakewalk. John Handley crept up on them a little bit while Western Albemarle and Atlee kept them two both honest. Ultimately the boys ended the season basically winning every race (varsity and jv) that they raced in.
This title was the boys first team title since 2016 and 10th overall, a state record on the boys side.
In the girls competition all the teams were banged up and down some numbers but this sport is about who showed up on the day and toed the line. Out of all of those teams, it was Blacksburg leading just ahead of Atlee.
Overall this title was Blacksburg's 19th team title, also a state record, and their first title since 2017. Their podium finish this year also extended their streak to 18 years in a row that Blacksburg finished first or second.