Week #11 - Badgers Defeat Defending Divison II State Champion in Final Tune-Up Before States

Miles took third, running 17:30, 16 seconds faster than his race at Darden Towe! He has been getting stronger every day! Peter W, running a strong 18:23, also dropped 13 seconds from a week ago, and finished tenth overall - giving the Badgers three runners in the top ten! Rounding out our scoring five, Peter D (18:31) and Jack J (18:57) both ran thirty seconds faster than their races on our home course only seven days ago.  

 

Both athletes were locked in, especially on the hills, where they showed off powerful knee drive! Jack has now run three consecutive races under 19:00, stepping up big time as the team makes our push to states. Peter D was 13th and Jack 15th! For contrast, the North Cross fifth runner was 27th, finishing 1:30 behind Jack!

 

Running together and continuing to compete at a high level, Jude (21:16) and Nico (21:18) both had an impressive final push as they made their way out of the woods for the final time! Jude is on the precipice of a massive breakout, and this race was a stepping stone to get there in two weeks! He nearly matched his time from Darden Towe, while Nico dropped a FULL MINUTE off his time from last week and was only 16 seconds off of his PR!

 

Our next pack featured Ryan (21:34) and Alexander (21:37). For Ryan, this was his third consecutive race under 22:00 - showing exceptional consistency for anybody - but especially for an 8th grader! Alexander, who moved up throughout the race, dropped a FULL MINUTE off of his Darden Towe time! Close behind featured another strong duo of Andrew (22:35) and Zeke (22:55). Andrew benefited from running with an experienced senior - he earned a new PR of FOURTEEN SECONDS! Well done, Andrew!

 

Holden and Daniel finished at exactly the same time - 25:41! Holden nearly matched his PR from a week ago of 25:38 - and his consistency - especially on this hilly, rocky course with tricky footing, has been very impressive. What a debut season it has been for Holden! Meanwhile, Daniel nearly matched his time from a week ago, and both athletes really pushed it to the finish line!

 

The Boys Varsity Cross Country Badgers made their debut on the New Covenant course the same way they approach their sport every single day: with the kind of confidence that you can only acquire through thoughtful and intentional hard work. Treated like the champions we are from the moment the team got off the bus, the Badgers dominated the meet with three runners in the top ten - and five in the top fifteen - and a 20-point victory over the defending Division II champion (who we also beat at VISAA States last season).  The Tandem/North Cross combined cool down was also very cool to see. The team will spend the next two weeks preparing for their final meet of the season - State Championships - at Panorama Farms on November 12. Hope to see you there!

 

Girls Varsity Cross Country - It was 33 degrees at 7:15 a.m. this past Saturday at Monticello, where the Badgers gathered for a challenging workout. Focusing on race-pace speed and pack running, the girls team worked together - in the cold - to prepare for the final stretch of the season. That hard work translated to strong performances this afternoon among tough competition, with the Badgers placing two athletes in the top 12, and defeating larger schools like Virginia Episcopal and Southwest Virginia Academy.

 

Despite the obvious challenges of the course - which included three steep hills in the woods and uneven footing - both Sawyer and Lucy had their best races of the season. The two ran together for all three laps, just like in practice, each with a tenacious focus. The third lap through the woods was particularly notable - both runners were constantly passing opposing athletes - and moving into a more competitive position as they emerged from the woods. Sawyer, who has truly burst onto the scene, had a breakout race today, breaking 23:00 for the first time! Woah! An elite threshold, Sawyer's time of 22:46 earned her 9th place overall - and a PR of FORTY SECONDS - all on a course that was, by all accounts, not designed for fast times. Congratulations to Sawyer on a remarkable accomplishment - and she is just getting started. Like Andrew, she had the benefit of running with a talented and experienced senior, who also had her best race of the season! Lucy's time of 23:11 is a season best - and a FULL MINUTE faster than her time at Darden Towe! Your best is yet to come, Lucy! Stay hungry!

 

After warming up to test her knee, Eve absolutely blitzed through the woods, running with strength and confidence. Eve was flying on the downhills, her stride extended, while using short quick strides to defeat the inclines! Her effort was incredible - constantly passing opposing runners and getting stronger as she went. Her time of 25:18 is 30 seconds faster than she ran a week ago - Eve will be fully ready for Panorama in two weeks!

 

Working together, Victoria (26:30) and Dhruvi (26:37) looked strong throughout the race. Victoria amazingly ran the exact same time as her race a week ago, while Dhruvi's confidence was evident in the way she ran the hills and burst into a sprint at the end of the race! Both athletes have put in a ton of work - this top five is going to light up the results at states!

 

Alice (27:20) and Caffall (28:11) ran together for much of the race (prior to Alice's incredible last 800 - including an incredible burst out of the woods to the finish!). Alice has been impressive throughout the season, and nearly matched her time from last week. Caffall, the PR queen, dropped ONE MINUTE AND THIRTY SECONDS off of her previous best, and did it with a smile for all three miles. Nobody has more fun than "I'm going to run through that brick wall" Caffall, and she excels while doing it.

 

Congratulations to our Varsity Girls Cross Country Badgers - coming together at the right time! The team is all set to begin tapering down their mileage and working on speed - with states only two weeks away! Hope to see you there on November 12 at Panorama Farms!