2022 Top 3 Teams:Â Poolesvile, Century, Liberty
2022 Top 5 Individuals:Â Ethan Aidam (Oakland Mills), Peyton Dill (Century), Aaron Longbrake (Poolesville), Caleb Dastrup (Poolesville), Jack Hartsig (Calvert)
2021 Top 3 Teams:Â Poolesville, Liberty, Calvert
2021 Top 5 Individuals:Â Ethan Aidam (Oakland Mills), Tim Cherry (Glenelg), Will Beane (Poolesville), Davis Trump (Liberty), Caleb Dastrup (Poolesville)
The Course
The State Meet course is run on the infamous Bull Run Course. The dip defines the course and it’s universally known throughout the running community. The course is certainly challenging, but it rewards toughness and durability. Depending upon one’s definition of a hill, there are at least eleven hills on the course-some more challenging than others. The second mile is by far the most challenging mile in the course with two steep, challenging hills. The second hill after the soccer field, which demarcates the half way point, is arguably the most challenging part of the course.
One is advised to commit to the race early on, but to be advised a faster than average first mile will result in a very long second mile. The final mile is actually a net downhill with a set of rolling hills on the back side of the course. This leads to the return to the dip.
One factor with racing this course in November versus September is that the weather is significantly different. One doesn’t need to contend with a scorching sun, but precipitation may not evaporate, which can lead to certain areas being slick, in particular the ninety degree turn leading to the return to the dip. Another nuance in the change of seasons is that one can see up the dip from a distance away, and one can also see the runners make their way to the dip following the second mile.
A full course preview is below.
The Teams
Wilde Lake and Centennial enter as two teams who should be dueling for the championship; they are completely even with each other. Centennial beat Wilde Lake handily back at Eagle Invite, but fast forward to HOCO champs and Centennial bested Wilde Lake by a single point. They were second and third overall, respectively, at that meet. Just one week later, Wilde Lake squeezed past Centennial for a four point victory at the 2A West Regional Championship. Outside of the post-season, Wilde Lake’s best meet was likely their fourth place finish in the elite division at Bull Run, while Centennial’s best non post-season meet was likely at Carlisle.
Wildecats Coach Gina Witcher says, “For the state meet we feel like we are ready and that this course benefits us. Our boys did great at Bull Run this year, we love hills, and are ready for the challenge. Henry Hopper, Colin Mcguinnes, and Bereket Tewodros have really been our anchors and motivators this season. They keep the team honest and motivated. Our 5th runner Aidan Thur really pulled out an incredible race at Regionals and helped get us that win along with Noah Vernon, who is normally our #4 guy, came up and was our #2.”
Other teams that look to make a podium finish include Hereford, which finished fourth last year in 2A. The Bulls won the medium division at Bull Run this year, they were second at Bawltimur County Championships, and they won the 2A North region convincingly. They could be the dark horse and shock the field.
Bulls Coach Adam Hittner says, “Our expectations are always to have our best 7 runners have their best races of the year at the state championships. Cross country isn’t like track where a superstar can get you 40 points from various events, or like soccer or basketball where you are defending against your opponent, you have no control over what your opponents do or don’t do on the race course. The only thing in my control as a coach is making sure our athletes are physically and mentally prepared, have a sound race plan, and know what their personal and group objectives are. We are looking forward to an exciting state championship meet with great competition”
Glenelg is a team that can look to upset the above teams. They were third in the 2A West region behind Wilde Lake and Centennial. They were fifth at HOCO champs, but they were much closer at the region meet to their competition than just a week earlier at the county championship.
Century can make a push for a podium finish. They were second in the small division at Frank Keyser and third at the Carroll County Championships.
LaPlata and Huntingtown look to make a surprise podium finish.
The Individuals
The lead Pack will include:Â Ben Marks (Queen Anne’s), Henry Hopper (Wilde Lake), David Herzberger (Centennial), Ryan Hartranft (Century), Thomas Sewell (Century), Eric Penkala (Southern), Jake Weakland (Hereford)
2022 State Meet Video
Course Preview
https://chasingthestandard.com/2020/10/does-hereford-have-an-advantage-at-the-state-xc-championship/