Performance list for this weekend's Liberty Christmas Invitational to be held at the Tolsma Track Center in Lynchburg, VA. Note that a revised performance list with relays will be posted soon.
Blacksburg head coach James Demarco was in Portland, Oregon this weekend to support his top cross country runner Allison Homer as she competed in the Nike Cross Nationals. His team did pretty well in his absence at the Liberty Christmas Invitational by winning both team titles thanks to their depth in the distance races. Distance runners carried the Blacksburg boys to a team title at Liberty University. Only one week removed from their last cross country race at the NXN Southeast Regional, the Blacksburg boys took advantage of their race sharpness by posting some swift early season track times. Brian Hencke and Matt Howard (pictured right by Ted Plunkett) both won individual races with Hencke taking the 1000 meter run in 2:36.66 and Howard outdueling 1600 meter winner Josh Morris of Jefferson Forest (4:27/9:34 double) in a photo finish for the 3200 meter win in 9:34.15. Blacksburg had three of the top four finishers in the 1600 meter run behind Morris with Howard (2nd, 4:30.79), George Carter (3rd, 4:32.51), and Brian Hencke (4th, 4:37.52). More... Liberty Christmas HS Invitational Complete Results