Posted: November 29, 2012
By ROBERT STOCKS

WINCHESTER — It’s safe to say James Wood senior Amber Hawkins’ final cross country season erased a disappointing end to her junior year with the Colonels.

She missed the entire postseason — the district, regional and Group AA state meets — last year after coming down with mononucleosis and a bout of low-iron anemia, but there’s no denying that Hawkins made the most of her final season that included several firsts for the James Wood standout.

She won her first Northwestern District championship at Kernstown with a time of 19 minutes, 45 seconds, finishing 1:25 head of her nearest competitor.

From there, Hawkins advanced to Region II and turned in another dominating performance, winning her first regional crown in 18:26 and finishing 29 seconds ahead of runner-up Annie Taylor of Western Albemarle. Hawkins said the end of her junior season was disappointing, but it also motivated her to make the best of her final season at James Wood.

“It definitely gave me a huge incentive to have a breakout season and be able to get those [personal records] and get to the state meet,” said Hawkins, The Winchester Star’s Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year. “It was really heartbreaking to have to step [away] but I knew I couldn’t handle it and I knew I probably wouldn’t have made it past districts the way I was feeling.

“I had mono and Ihad really low-iron anemia — it was a double whammy that really put a damper on my season. But I really focused on the postseason [this year] and getting to states — my first time at states. I kept that in focus and trying to get a PR and getting [my times] into the 18s.”

James Wood cross country coach Mike Onda said he started to see Hawkins return to form during the spring track season last year, but she knew she was poised for a strong senior season because she kept reaching goals during the preseason cross country practices.

“Every time I set goal paces on workouts and she’d be exceeding those,” Onda said. “All those things started to be an indication and her first time out at the Judges Classic that’s when I really knew things would be meshing together for her with her hard work and training.”

Hawkins opened her senior season by taking first place at the Judges Classic with a time of 20:10, and she went unbeaten against district competition. She also took first place at the Third Battle Invitational on the Pioneers’ home course, setting a new personal record with a time of 18:19.

From there, she dominated at both the district and regional meets, running away from the field in both races.

Hawkins said her performance at Region II stands out the most.

“I think regions is what I’m most proud of because I was the first female to win regions here at James Wood,” Hawkins said. “It’s such an honor to have a regional title. It’s something last year that I would have never thought that I’d be winning regionals.”

At states, Hawkins ran stride for stride with defending Group AA state champion and Hidden Valley senior Carolyn Bethel through the opening mile of the 3.1-mile race. Both Hawkins, Bethel and Cave Spring junior Katie Fortner all clocked 5:42 at the mile split but Bethel surged ahead during the second mile and went on to win her second straight state crown.

Hawkins finished fourth (19:01) in her first state meet, and she said she has no regrets about her first appearances at Great Meadow.

“I think states went like it was supposed to,” said Hawkins, who was the only area runner to earn all-state honors (by finishing in the top 15). “I think I ran the best I could that day, and I think I did great for my first state meet.”

Onda said Hawkins capped her final cross country season at James Wood with the best season for any girls’ runner at the school in his 12 years with the program.

“Being top four in the state — that’s nothing to sneeze at,” Onda said. “I think that’s a great thing for her and I’m real proud of her.

“Running 18:19 at Third Battle and following that with an 18:26 and winning the regional championship and being far away from the next [competitor] — those were her best runs of the season.”

Hawkins plans to continue training for James Wood’s outdoor track season where she plans on competing in primarily the 800 meters, 1,600 and 4x400 and possibly the 3,200.

Coming off her best cross country season, Hawkins said she really couldn’t ask for a much better final year.

“This season I feel accomplished,” said Hawkins, who earned All-Group AA honors. “I feel like Idefinitely gave the season my all. Last year I was exhausted. I don’t think I had lack of motivation to run because I wanted to get out there and run but I just wanted to sleep all the time. I’m very happy with my season. With everything last year and being able to come back and make my first state appearance, it’s definitely a blessing.”

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