There will be hundreds of athletes to keep an eye on this weekend at the Virginia XC Showcase but one of the things we are focused on are the future stars of our sport. Here are eight freshmen you should watch this weekend at VAXC.
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Jonathan Grimm (Jamestown) - Grimm has been quick to make a name for himself this season boasting a blazing 15:33 PR. He was the middle school state champion last year at Pole Green Park so he knows how to race here.
Gavin Daniels (Gainesville) - The little brother of Trent Daniels is quickly becoming a name you hear at meets. His current season best is 16:01 run down at Great American. Freshmen have up and down races as they learn about consistency in racing but there is a lot of upside for him. Don't be shocked to see a huge PR this weekend.
Rivers Matthews (Blacksburg) - Another athlete who is used to quick times at Pole Green Park is Rivers. He was the runner-up at middle school states last year and already this season has worked his way onto the varsity lineup on the best boys team in VA. His current PR was run at Great American and sits at 16:08.
Joshua Lawrence (The Covenant School) - The younger brother of defending XC state champion Jon Nathan Lawrence is also making a name for himself like Gavin Daniels is. Joshua has run 16:32 so far this season and did so at WakeMed earlier in September. Out of all of these runners his PR seems to be the oldest meaning he is primed and ready for another big race.
Hayley Mancini (Spotswood) - One of the hottest performing teams right now is Spotswood. They are blazing times and winning titles everywhere they go. One of the reasons they are succeeding is the depth and young talent. One of those stars is Hayley Mancini who ran 18:52 at Albemarle! That means this weekend with ideal conditions we could see something insane.
Juliana Pierce (Charlottesville) - If you're sensing a trend you're not wrong. Here is another younger sibling, this time the younger sister of VA #1 Elaina Pierce. Juliana has been running very well all season but her 18:35 at Albemarle turned heads. That equates to right around 18 minutes at Pole Green. Do we need to say much more?
Piper Zealand (Pacers) - Finally, our last sibling on this preview! This time the younger sister of Allie Zealand. Piper as only a freshmen has already run 19:31 while racing down in NC. She runs for Pacers homeschool and thus will be competing in the open race first thing in the morning. Don't forget to check out those results for all of the Pacers' results.
Petra Gruendel (James W. Robinson) - Last but really first is Petra. She leads all freshmen with her 17:51 personal and season beast. She clocked that time down at Great American and is looking for more this weekend.