By Dan Sousa
LoudounPrepSports.com Senior content Editor
(Nov. 7, 2008) – For the Potomac Falls High School boys cross country team, tomorrow’s VHSL AA state meet is the realization of a dream delayed after they just missed the meet last year. For the Dominion boys tomorrow’s meet at Great Meadows in The Plains is perhaps an unexpected surprise. For the Potomac Falls and Loudoun Valley girls cross country teams, tomorrow is a return trip to the ultimate race for a Virginia high school runner.
For Loudoun County’s Julie Strange and Rebecca Hinch and Briar Woods’ Alexa Kniley and Stone Bridge’s Stephanie Paradis, Saturday is a chance for individual glory after their teams have ended their seasons. For everybody involved, Saturday will put them on a course with the best the state has to offer in cross country.
AA Boys: While Potomac Falls has the best chance of a top three finish among any local team, they also face the toughest challenge as Jamestown is ranked No. 11 in the nation. Panthers Josh Hardin and Ryan Hagen, along with Dominion’s J.T. Duke have the best chance to finish in the top 15 among individuals. (Please see video for feature on Dominion High School boys cross country team)
Potomac Falls boys: (top seven from regional) Josh Hardin, Ryan Hagen, Brian Robinson, Alvaro Morales, Andrew Mott, Josh Belin, Patrick Wilson
Dominion boys: (top seven from regional) J.T. Duke, Nick Phillips, Nick Sharp, Jimmy Rion, Steven Ochocki, Matt Weber, Phil Devine
AA and AAA Girls: Both the PF girls in AA and LV girls in AAA make return trips to the states. And four girls will run individually including two with chances for medal finishes, Strange in AA and Paradis in AAA. PF qualified despite top runner Christina Lee not being able to run due to injury. Lee is one of the top runners all-time for PF along with alum Katie Endres, who has quietly returned this fall to help coach her old school.
Potomac Falls girls: (top seven from regional) Melissa Saunders, Shannon Brady, Kaeley Brady, Rachel Hagen, Rachel Diniega, Noor Natour, Kaityn Hunter
Loudoun Valleygirls: (top seven from regional) Audrey Houghton, Hannah Scheren, Hailey Scheren, Michelle Crowley, Lisa Beksel, Lucia Jacangelo, Abbie Polizotto
AAA Individiual runner: Stephanie Paradis of Stone Bridge
AA Individual runners: Julie Strange, Rebecca Hinch of Loudoun County, Alexa Kniley of Briar Woods
Check back to DigitalSports as Alysia Deem will be at the state meets on Saturday with full photo and video coverage!
Also for more cross country coverage, check out the great stuff that is done at www.milestat.com.
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