There have technically been a couple meets this season already but we consider this weekend, the first big weekend, as the true opening weekend for VA's XC season.
This past week Heather Holt pulled off the double victory. First she took home the Monroe Parker (2.98miles) title in a blistering 17:27 and days after took home the performance of the week poll with a whopping 3,237 votes. For both of these accomplishments she is our athlete spotlight of the week.
Check out over 3,000 photos taken by Lisa McArthur from the 2016 Monroe Parker Invitational, which was shortened to 4 races (2 freshmen and 2 varsity races) due to the hat.
Watch Heather Holt of George C. Marshall win the varsity girls race at the 2016 Monroe Parker Invitational with a 17:26 performance at Burke Lake Park. It was the last race of the day before they cancelled the rest due to the extreme humid conditions.
Your one stop location for all the coverage and results for this weekend.
Watch varsity boys race from the 2016 Monroe Parker Invitational, which Thomas Jefferson's Saurav Velleleth was able to hold off Lake Braddock's Conor Lyons (15:30) for the win.
Each year the Monroe Parker Invite provides the single best preview into the season for the Northern Region and subsequently a really good view in 5A North as well.
The 2016 XC season has started off moderately with a few big stories here and there. This is all going to change though next weekend 9/10 as nearly the entire state laces up their spikes and takes to many XC courses. The action this weekend will include Newport News, Knights Crossing, Monroe Parker, Judges Classic, Becky Selfe, FUMA, and Pole Green XC Classic. Needless to say it is going to be a big one.