Jason Call

A break down of the entries for Saturdays Run Eight "O" Four Cross Country Challenge

At the Greensboro Invitational, three of the top tier Virginia Division III college programs competed with the University of Mary Washington, Washington & Lee University, and Lynchburg College (men only). The Mary Washington men and women both finished first in the Division III team standings at the meet held at Hagan Stone Park in Greensboro. Mary Washington sophomore Allison Hazlett won the women\'s 5K race in a time of 18:43 to lead the squad to a narrow two point margin of victory over the Washington & Lee women. The Mary Washington men (32 pts) won by eight points over the Washington & Lee men (40 pts), but the Generals did run without top runner and defending NCAA South/Southeast Regional champion Nathan Johnson.

Both the University of Mary Washington women\'s and men\'s cross country teams finished in first place at the McDaniel College Invitational on Saturday in the teams\' first races of the season. For the women, who placed first among eight schools, Sophomore Alison Hazlett finished first overall, with a time of 19:43. Classmate Christy Falcone took third, at 21:10, and Stephanie Grimes placed fifth, at 21:28. Amy Pasler placed tenth at 21:47, and Liz Gerber took eleventh, at 21:50.

Christopher Newport University will enter the 2004 Cross Country season with a giant target on their backs and they wouldn

The top division III cross country program in the state last fall was Lynchburg College by a hair. While Emory College (Atlanta, Georgia) dominated last year's NCAA DIII Southeast regional cross country meet, Lynchburg (87 points) finished second in last November's race as they were two points ahead of fellow Virginia school, Christopher Newport University. This year's battle for state supremacy seems to be once again a two team fight between the Hornets and Captains.

Possible thunderstorms and lightning loomed in the distance throughout much of the day, but those storms never came as the Gus Lacy Track Classic was blessed with excellent race conditions as it gave way to many outstanding performances.

Taking advantage of Midlothian senior Austin Smith's knee injury, Thomas Jefferson junior John Piersol upset the defending Central Region champion.