Group AA girls pre-season cross country rankings with 15 deep in teams and 25 deep in individuals. The Blacksburg and Hidden Valley girls certainly still linger as state title threats despite taking losses due to graduation from their Nike Cross Nationals qualifying squads from a year ago, but the Western Albemarle girls return virtually everyone from their state meet podium team. Their squad will be led by someone who was not the team's front runner last fall, but after an incredible outdoor track season clocking PR's of 2:18 800, 10:58 3200, and 18:00 5K, Mattie Webb (pictured left by Ted Plunkett) will not only be running upfront for Western but could be challenging for the Group AA state individual crown. Behind Webb are four other girls who have ran under 19:30 for the 5K.
The Hidden Valley and Blacksburg girls should have solid front three, but will rely on their program's tradition, their coaches, and summer training to have the fourth and fifth runners to bec...