The History
2023 Top Teams
WJ, Frederick, BCC
2023 Top 5 Individuals
Caroline Gregory (Frederick), Elena Blodnikar (Leonardtown), Amelia Slagle (Frederick), Megan Raue (WJ), Ani Bailin (BCC)
2022 Top 3 Teams: Sev Park, WJ, Wooton
2022 Top 5 Individuals: Elena Blodnikar (Leonardtown), Varri Higgins (BCC), Katie Greenwald (WW), Avery Graham (Sherwood), Grace Finnegan (RM)
2021 Top 3 Teams: WJ, Broadneck, Urbana
2021 Top 5 Individuals: Varri Higgins (BCC), Mollie Fenn (Broadneck), Avery Graham (Sherwood), Katherine Leddy (Arundel), Ella Zeigler (Hubie Blake)
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 ones 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.
***Weather Looks to be warm with no precipitation
A full course preview is below.
The Teams
This should be a competitive meet up top with far more than three teams looking to contend for a podium finish.
BCC enters the meet just a couple weeks off their dominant title run at MOCO champs. Earlier this season at MDXC, the Barons took the overall team title, as they were well ahead of any other Maryland schools. The Barons easily took the 4A South Regional title. BCC appears to be the favorite heading into Saturday. There will be other competition, and these other school look to make a run at a title.
Northwest was the first Maryland school in the red and white division at MDXC, and they were second at MOCO Championships. They did fall to sixth in their region championship.
Leonardtown is always a strong program, and they come off a strong 4A East Title Run and SMAC Championhship. At the 4A East Championship their 1-5 gap was only 50 seconds. On their team’s outlook, Head Coach Ayanna Dudley says, “We’re looking forward to this Saturday’s competition! As recent Southern Maryland Athletic Conference Champions and 4A East Regional Champions, our girls are looking forward to returning to a familiar course and running their race. They have the endurance and the heart, they just need to give it all they got and compete for a spot on the podium!”
Whitman
The Whitman girls took the 4A West title after finishing third at MOCO Championships. They tied for second back at the Bull Run Elite/Large division in late September, and they were also 7th overall (4th MD school) at MDXC. Head Coach Ben Thoms is confident in his team heading into Saturday: “This is such an awesome group of girls that’s been very fun to work with. It’s rare to coach a team that’s had its best two races of the season at Counties and Regionals, but that’s where we are. For States, the expectation is to go out there, compete, and be the best they can be. We can’t really ask more of them than that.”
Frederick
Frederick finished second last year at the state championship, and a championship run is what the Cadets seek. They’ve had a strong season, winning Bull Run Elite/Large in September. In the post-season, Frederick took the Frederick county championship, edging out Urbana by two points. In the ultra-competitive 4A West region, the Cadets were third overall but only ten points behind Whitman for first and nine points behind Urbana for second. Head Coach Frank Strakonsky observes, “This could be one of the most competitive meets in the past few years, with six or seven teams, having a legitimate shot to win. We hope our big meet experience from the past two years plays well on Saturday. We expect our ladies to race hard and have fun doing it.”
Urbana
The Hawks have looked good all season, and they are just as prepared as any other team listed here. During the season, Urbana took the win at the Hood College Invite, and they also won the Patriot Invite. At Frederick County Champs, they were just two points away from Frederick, and at the 4A West region, they were only one point off Whitman. Head Coach CJ Ecalano says, “The Urbana Girls have exceeded expectations for this Season and will look to continue to compete relentlessly at XC States.”
The Individuals
Megan Raue (WJ), Amelia Slagle (Frederick), Kate Miner (Urbana), Anna Rodrigues (Urbana), Leah Magda (Leonardtown), Morgan Scrom (Leonardtown), Lexie Blodnikar (Leonardtown), Brooklyn Ricker (Annapolis), Nya Stoian (BCC), Julia Robison (Blair), Celeste Delannay (BCC), Emma Colavito (RM), Katie Greenwald (Whitman), Ella Werkman (Whitman), Audrey Wychulis (Northwest), Whitney Duhon (Northwest), Lindsay Fernandez (Glen Burnie)