2022 Top 3 Teams:Â Hereford, Poolesville, Liberty
2022 Top 5 Individuals:Â Estelle Snider (Hereford), Sylvia Snider (Hereford), Daisy Dastrup (Poolesville), Temi Ariyo (Overlea), Sarah Van Ornum (Kent Island)
2021 Top 3 Teams:Â Hereford, Liberty, Poolesville
2021 Top 5 Individuals:Â Daisy Dastrup (Poolesville), Estelle Snider (Hereford), Kristen Prince (Calvert), Kaila Spence (Glenelg), Sylvia Snider (Hereford)
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
The Hereford Girls have dominated 2A for the past decade, and they have shown they are prepared to go for another title. The Bulls are Bawltimur County Champions and the north region champs. The Bulls won Barnhart, they were second at MDXC, and they were third in the elite field at Bull Run. The experienced team will be tough to beat.
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 competitionâ€
The Centennial Girls pose a threat to the Bulls. The Eagles of Centennial won the HOCO Championships by a convincing margin and they beat the field in the West Region. Centennial put a hurting on the field at Eagle Invite, and they had a strong showing at the Carlisle Invite.
Huntington is a team that can make a push for the podium. They finished second at the SMAC championships to a strong Leonardtown team, and Huntingtown beat the field in the south region.
Century is also a team that looks to make a podium finish.
The Individuals
Rebekka Hillier (Hereford), Sylvia Snider (Hereford), Leanna Rogers (North east), Gabi Murphy (Fallston), Taylor Colson (Century), Riley Herdson (Centennial), Emily Graff (Centennial), Roma Diak (Poolesville), Emily Mitroka (Century), Sophie Bryan (Huntingtown), Leah Gullace (Huntingtown), Madison McCurry (Calvert), Sydney McClain (Huntingtown)
2022 State Meet Video
Course Preview
https://chasingthestandard.com/2020/10/does-hereford-have-an-advantage-at-the-state-xc-championship/