With key runners and teams gone, the girls' race will be just as competitive as the boys' race. With last year champion Anne Carpenter from Giles gone, this year's race will be the battle of the underclassmen. Out of the top thirty from last year's state meet, twenty-two were underclassmen (only four will return as seniors). Just picture the state meet in another three years. Key returners are rising sophomores Lori Crofts (Craig County), Nina Pfeiffer (Strasburg), and rising juniors Hanna Traynham (Floyd County) and Shylan Brumbrey (James Monroe).
During the 2003 cross country season, it looks like it is going to be a good one. Even though everyone is looking forward to seeing the AAA and AA races, Single A will bring a little bit more excitement to the table. Single A will have three state champions returning for their senior year, including returning state cross country champion Todd Somers from Page County, who also won the two mile last track season for the second straight time. Zach Brackford from Central Woodstock will return after a strong track season which he left as the mile champion and a personal best time of 4:25. Travis Hunnicutt from Madison County, also left as a champion in the 800m with a personal best of a 1:59.
It's only 4 more weeks until districts and 6 until "States". It's starting to heat up in each and every event. Now you're seeing who are the favorites coming into the state meet.
Many people can say it's going to be Single A's best year and others can say it's going to suck. But personally, I believe it's going to be Single A's best season because for the simple fact that it's anyone's race.
With all the changes that's being made with Single A it's been hard to get info on the right people and teams. But no doubt I still have info on a girl who might take it all this year in the 800m and 1600m, and that girl is Shylan Bumbrey from James Monr
Many can agree that so far it looks like Patrick Henry's senior Micheal Buchanan, Alta Vista's senior Jessie Dalton, and Page's sophomore Todd Somers looks to be the heavy favorites to win the 3200m in 2002.
It looks the girls side this year at states is going to be more exciting than the boys as it seems to be a battle between two teams: Sussex and Brentsville.
First up on the 1st report is can Page Co. repeat in 2002? Without Albert Potts putting up 75% of the points for Page Co., who will step it up in the sprinting events for them?