MECHANICSVILLE, VA - The undefeated giant called the J.R. Tucker cross country team was finally slain by the Douglas Freeman boys in a huge upset at the Colonial District Meet. J.R. Tucker ranked #1 in the state and #1 in the entire Southeast region, finished second to Freeman by 12 points as the Tigers raced without number three runner Thuom Mathaing. Mathaing sat out due to injury.
The loss of Mathaing was a big difference in the team score as the Tucker boys have relied on their strong front four to make up for their fifth man for the majority of the season. Freeman capitalized on the loss of Mathaing and placed their entire top five ahead of Tucker\'s fourth runner. Douglas Freeman senior Richard Andrews led the Rebels assault on the Tigers with a third place finishing effort of 16:07. Joining Andrews on the All-District team were Cabell Rosanelli (5th, 16:45), Stephen Cox (7th, 17:08), David Newsome (10th, 17:22) and Andrew Pike (11th, 17:23) as they all finished among the top 15 individuals. With five All-District performers, Douglas Freeman compiled a team score of 36 points.
The Tigers top two runners did not disappoint in running well in the absence of Mathaing as Michael Chapa and Mason McElroy finished 1-2 in the meet with times of 15:32 and 16:07 respectively. However, Ben Rickey had an off day for the Tigers finishing eighth in the race in a time of 17:06, while Michael Peterson (14th, 17:31) and Tanner Seese (23rd, 18:17) were outperformed by Freeman\'s fourth and fifth runners. With the uncertainty of Mathaing\'s health and Rickey\'s shaky racing, a lot of questions loom for J.R. Tucker as they approach the state meet in two weeks.
Hermitage (3rd, 88 pts) and Maggie Walker (4th, 106 pts) were the final two teams to advance to the Central Region Meet, which will be held at the same place one week from now.
After being defeated by Douglas Freeman in their last encounter, the Maggie Walker girls evened up the score by defeating the Lady Rebels for the Colonial District team title by 7 points. The Colonial District Meet virtually became a dual meet between these two great teams as 11 of the first 15 finishers came from both schools. A big key to the Maggie Walker victory was the performance of their top three runners who took the first places in the race with Emily Wauford (1st, 19:34), Samantha DeAlto (2nd, 19:37), Ritchie Vaughan (3rd, 19:40). Having three runners ahead of the deep Douglas Freeman squad\'s first runner was critical for Maggie Walker\'s win. Stella Askin (12th, 21:00) and Abby Rhea (13rd, 21:15) earned All-District honors as Maggie Walker\'s final two scoring runners in the meet.
The Douglas Freeman girls were able to place their entire top five ahead of Maggie Walker\'s fourth runner Askin, but it was not enough to offset the top three sweep by Wauford, DeAlto, and Vaughan. Christi Harsha was Freeman\'s top finisher in a fourth place finishing time of 19:41. Under a minute gap separated the remaining top five for the Lady Rebels with Meredith Cox (6th, 19:47), Sonja Lokensgard (8th, 20:22), Meghan Machic (9th, 20:34), and Laura Wallace (11th, 20:39).
Next week\'s Central Region Meet could play into the favor of Freeman against Maggie Walker having the stronger fifth runner in a larger and more competitive field. Throw in James River and Midlothian from the Dominion District and it is anyone\'s guess who will walk away with the regional title.
Mills Godwin (3rd, 81 pts) and Deep Run (4th, 94 pts) both qualified for next Saturday\'s regional meet as it is the first time Deep Run will field a team at the regional with the school being only in it\'s third year of existence. Erin Bragg, who finished fifth in the district meet with a time of 19:45, has competed at the regional and state level before in track and will have a squad to lead in this year\'s race.
MECHANICSVILLE, VA - The undefeated giant called the J.R. Tucker cross country team was finally slain by the Douglas Freeman boys in a huge upset at the Colonial District Meet. J.R. Tucker ranked #1 in the state and #1 in the entire Southeast region, finished second to Freeman by 12 points as the Tigers raced without number three runner Thuom Mathaing. Mathaing sat out due to injury.
The loss of Mathaing was a big difference in the team score as the Tucker boys have relied on their strong front four to make up for their fifth man for the majority of the season. Freeman capitalized on the loss of Mathaing and placed their entire top five ahead of Tucker\'s fourth runner. Douglas Freeman senior Richard Andrews led the Rebels assault on the Tigers with a third place finishing effort of 16:07. Joining Andrews on the All-District team were Cabell Rosanelli (5th, 16:45), Stephen Cox (7th, 17:08), David Newsome (10th, 17:22) and Andrew Pike (11th, 17:23) as they all finished among the top 15 individuals. With five All-District performers, Douglas Freeman compiled a team score of 36 points.
The Tigers top two runners did not disappoint in running well in the absence of Mathaing as Michael Chapa and Mason McElroy finished 1-2 in the meet with times of 15:32 and 16:07 respectively. However, Ben Rickey had an off day for the Tigers finishing eighth in the race in a time of 17:06, while Michael Peterson (14th, 17:31) and Tanner Seese (23rd, 18:17) were outperformed by Freeman\'s fourth and fifth runners. With the uncertainty of Mathaing\'s health and Rickey\'s shaky racing, a lot of questions loom for J.R. Tucker as they approach the state meet in two weeks.
Hermitage (3rd, 88 pts) and Maggie Walker (4th, 106 pts) were the final two teams to advance to the Central Region Meet, which will be held at the same place one week from now.