Wolverine Chase Invitational 2001

FREDRICKSBURG, VA -- Two Northern Region teams, the Thomas Jefferson boys and Lake Braddock girls had dominating wins at the most competitive meet so far this season in the state at the Wolverine Chase Invitational. Few could have predicted the success both squads are having so far this season.

The Thomas Jefferson boys headed into this meet untested by competition after walking over a not so incredible competitive field at the Newport News Invitational 2 weekends ago. Heading into the meet ranked #7 in the state, they were to face stiff challenges from #3 ranked Albemarle and #4 ranked Maggie Walker. They shocked many as the routed by squads winning by 21 point margin over second place Maggie Walker (57-78). Albemarle finished in a distance third with 90 points. Thomas Jefferson's #1 runner, sophomore sensation Christo Landry battled it out with Maggie Walker's #1 runner, senior John Piersol for the individual title. Piersol won it out with a fast time of 15:49.8 on the Belvedere Plantation 5K course as Landry came in right behind at 15:51.96. After that, it was advantage Thomas Jefferson all the way. Making out for arguebably one of the best top 5 in the state was Landry, Keith Bechtol (6th, 16:22.74), Tarik Jones (13th, 16:38.94), Dan Walsh (17th, 16:48.13), and Joe Byland (19th, 16:48.70). For a team that wasn't even ranked in the top 10 in the state heading into this season, they are turning quite a few heads. Top ranked teams like Midlothian and Jamestown should be aware of this squad in coming weeks.

Despite Thomas Jefferson's great team performance, the Maggie Walker and Albemarle squads also had fine showings. Along with Piersol, Jonathan Charlesworth (10th, 16:33.71), Andrew Stegmaier (12th, 16:37.33), Daniel Howard (23rd, 17:03.75), and Alex Tuck (32nd, 17:13.30) made for an impressive top 5. The squad should still be in contention for a state title and definitely in the mix for a medal placing top 3 spot. Another team in the same situation as Maggie Walker was the Albemarle boys who had runners run some exceptional races. Travis Lambert, ranked 10th in Group AA, led Albemarle with a 5th place finishing time of 16:21.40. Joe Murrary (16th, 16:42.47), Hari Mix (18th, 16:48.42), Nick Noe (22nd, 16:59.29), and Wes Kimble (29th 17:11.90) rounded out a 5 strong squad. The Group AAA state meet looks to be a dogfight with along with #1 ranked Midlothian, having squads such as Thomas Jefferson, Maggie Walker, and Albemarle having at least 5 runners capable of running sub 17 on a legit 5K course.

Strong individual efforts were put forth by seniors Matt Gutridge of Caroline and Brandon King of Western Branch. Gutridge finished 3rd in the race with a time of 15:59.49 and King finished 4th in a time of 16:10.12.

The Lake Braddock girls continue to ring the bell that they are back or in fact were never gone as many assumed a down year from last year's Group AAA state champions after heavy losses from graduation. They simply just threw in the reserves who seem to be performing just as well as last year's top 7. Lake Braddock senior Kelly Swain made a last second decision to run in the race after originally planning to go down to Charlotte and watch her sister run in the collegiate race there. However, she decided to stay put and toe the line for expected to be an epic showdown between herself and currently #1 ranked runner in the state, Kristyn Shiring of North Stafford. Both ladies came into the race having clocked 18:10 3 mile times and looking to be in great shape. The times weren't so close in the race as Swain won by a 16 second margin over Shiring with her time of 18:35.81 as Shiring finished second in a time of 18:51.27. Nontheless, both girls are running exceptionally fast times early in the season and expect to be state title contenders as well as in contention to qualify for Foot Locker Nationals. Along with Swain, the Lake Braddock girls amounted 70 points with strong races from Sarah Rothe (13th, 20:14.35), Abbegail McGrath (16th, 20:27.71), Meghan Moran (22nd, 20:45.84), and Kelly Dick (30th, 21:06.43).

The Western Albemarle girls continue to show great promise this season as they finished 2nd with 93 points. The Lady Warriors were led by Delaney Moje (7th, 19:26.72) with a supporting cast of Gina Casella (17th, 20:31.99), Kelsey Stafford (24th, 20:48.60), Emily Thompson (25th, 20:51.28), Amber Cadle (33rd, 21:13.28). The 9th ranked squad in the state looks to be in contention to place in the top 3 at the Group AA State Meet and possibly 2nd behind the nationally ranked Jefferson Forest squad.

Including #1 ranked Shiring and #4 ranked Swain, the girls race had 6 runners that are ranked in the top 15 in the state competing. All 6 of these runners placed in the top 6, reaffirming they should be ranked. #6 ranked Jemissa Hess of C.D. Hylton finished 3rd in a time of 18:59. #5 ranked Claire Whitenack of Albemarle took 4th with a time of 19:01.08. #7 ranked Katie Endres of Potomac Falls ran a 19:19.19 to place 5th. Placing 6th was #13 ranked Sarah Levine of Thomas Jefferson with a time of 19:23.43. Levine's Thomas Jefferson squad also performed well, taking 3rd with 99 points.

Coach Koehler and all of those who took part in organizing the meet at North Stafford High School deserve much credit in assembling one of the most competitive races so far this season with an amazing total of 48 elite performances at the 5K distance.