Girls' cross country preview

Two local high school girls' cross country teams could very well be traveling home from their respective state meets with Virginia High School League trophies on Nov. 16.

Both James Wood (fourth in Class 4) and Clarke County (second in Class 2 for the second straight year) will pursue the trophies given to the first- and second-place teams at each meet with an abundance of experienced talent.

Led by All-State junior runner Kate Konyar (fifth in Class 4), the Colonels (second in Region 4D last year to Blacksburg) return six of their seven state meet runners from last year at Oatlands in Leesburg.

The Eagles bring back all seven of their runners who competed at last year's state meet, where Clarke County finished only five points behind Liberty-Bedford (56-61). Senior Teya Starley (sixth in Class 2) headlines the three-time defending Region 2B champions after missing most of the track season with an injury. This year's state meet will move from Green Hill Park in Salem to Virginia Tech's course in Blacksburg.

James Wood runners grabbed five of eight spots on The Winchester Star's All-Area First Team last year, and four of those runners are back.

Konyar — a two-time Winchester Star Runner of the Year and two-time All-State performer — ran 23 seconds faster at last year's state meet than she did as a freshman, when she finished fourth. Region 4D champion Elaina Pierce of Charlottesville, a fellow junior, is the only returning Class 4 girl who had a higher state finish than Konyar last year. Konyar's best 3.1-mile time for the entire season was 18 minutes, 12.8 seconds at Millbrook's Third Battle Invitational.

Senior Ruby Ostrander (15th in Class 4 to earn a state medal, season personal record of 19:07.8 at Third Battle), junior Alina Kieffer (24th in Class 4, season PR of 19:52.2 at Third Battle) and junior Katelyn Palmer (41st in Class 4, season PR of 19.46.9 at Third Battle) were other scoring runners at the state meet and First Team All-Area selections. Senior Kaitlin Combs (64th in Class 4) and junior Lauren Thompson (74th in Class 4) were Star Second Team All-Area picks and are back for James Wood.

As for the three teams the Colonels finished behind in Class 4 last year, each of them lost accomplished runners. Defending state champion Jamestown lost its top two runners, three of its top four and four of its top seven. Runner-up Loudoun Valley lost its top runner and two of its top three, and Blacksburg graduated its top three runners. Tuscarora — which scored 106 points to finish four behind James Wood — does bring back its top three runners and five of its top seven from last year's state meet.

Starley earned All-State honors for the third time last year. Other returning Eagles who ran at last year's state meet are sophomore Ashley Moran (17th in Class 2), senior Molly Husted (18th), junior Saniyah Caldwell (24th), sophomore Mia Timberlake (36th), senior Abigail Cochran (39th in 22:09.1) and junior Aubrey Wagner (49th).

Liberty-Bedford returns senior Alexis Plaster, who took third in Class 2 and is one of three underclassmen who finished ahead of Starley last year, but the Minutemen graduated their No. 2, 3 and 4 runners. Fort Defiance (third in Class 2 with 86 points last year) lost its top two runners, including state champion Abby Lane.

James Wood is not the only local Class 4 team with significant state meet experience.

Handley (third in Region 4D) returns all six of its seven runners from last year's state meet, where the Judges placed 11th in their first state meet appearance since 2012. Not only that, Handley also returns junior Stephanie Truban, who was the team's No. 1 runner in 2022 but was unable to compete in the postseason last year, and sophomore Sage Welpott, who also was not healthy enough to compete in the postseason last year. She's the twin sister of Seneca Welpott, the Judges' No. 3 runner in 2023.

This year's Judges will also be led by sophomore EJ Mullins (44th in Class 4, season PR of 20:28 at Third Battle Invitational) and junior Ella Warren (51st in Class 4, season PR of 20:00.3 at Third Battle).

Sherando (fifth in Region 4D) is another team with veteran experience. The Warriors lost their only state qualifier in Addy Wallin, but they do return five other runners who competed in last year's regional meet, including sophomore Mia Adams (24th) and senior Gracie Defibaugh (30th). Senior Cassidy Crittenden, the team's No. 4 runner at the Region 4C meet in 2022, is back after missing last year with an injury.

Millbrook (eighth in Region 4D) will receive a boost with the addition of runners from its track team and several freshmen. Senior Caroline McCurry (26th) and sophomore Addison Stover (31st) led the Pioneers at last year's Region 4D meet.

The following is a glance at each area team:

James Wood

Coach: Matthew Lofton, fifth year.

Last year: Second in Region 4D; fourth in Class 4 state; Northwestern District champions.

Key losses: Sarah Moss, Hallie Lescalleet.

Key returnees: Kate Konyar, Jr.; Ruby Ostrander, Sr.; Alina Kieffer, Jr.; Lauren Thompson, Jr.; Katelyn Palmer, Jr.; Kirin Nashad, Jr.; Ally Oliver, So.; Kaitlin Combs, Sr.

Key newcomers: Melanie Padilla, Fr.

Lofton’s outlook: "We were fourth in the state last year and we graduated one scoring member of that team. On paper, we are one of the favorites. It could be argued that Class 4 is the most competitive class in the state so we can’t rule out any other teams. Our goal is to place higher than last year and I feel strongly that we can achieve that. We were the runner-ups last year in the region. I think if we can better our positioning, it will be a huge confidence going into the state meet. The whole girls' varsity team put in a great summer of training. They’re motivated and ready to race."

First meet: Saturday at Central Invitational in Woodstock

Handley

Coach: Mark Stickley, sixth year.

Last year: Third in Region 4D; 11th in Class 4 state.

Key loss: Bella Balio.

Key returnees: Ella Warren, Jr.; EJ Mullins, So.; Seneca Welpott, So.; Sage Welpott, So.; Stephanie Truban, Jr.; Ellie Bessette, Sr.; Izzy Doran, Sr., Audrey Rinker, So.

Key newcomers: Jayleh Porter, Fr.; Amelia Keaton, Fr.

Stickley’s outlook: "Qualifying for state last year for the first time in 10 years was a huge milestone and I think we can build on that. We only lost Bella and so far appear to have everyone healthy, including Sage, who did not get to run at all last season. Getting back to state and then improving on our finish from last year is the goal. The key of course is staying healthy. So far we are well ahead of last year. EJ is well ahead of last year and currently running ahead of Ella. If they stay healthy we have a great 1-2 punch. Figuring out the rest will be interesting and I think will fluctuate at every meet. Sage appears to be next, Stephanie seems poised to return to the top five and Ellie is running better than she was a year ago. But it's really up in the air with the rest of our returnees and the new freshmen. I like our depth but we have to stay healthy.

"Clearly James Wood is the class of the district and region and I suspect the state as well. But our region is tough and you never want to rule out Blacksburg. Our region is challenging and then there are other good teams out there. Loudoun Valley always seems to be good and Tuscarora may be even better."

First meet: Saturday at Patriot Season Opener in Nokesville

Sherando

Coach: Megan Roberts, seventh year.

Last year: Fifth in Region 4D.

Key loss: Addy Wallin.

Key returnees: Mia Adams, So.; Gracie Defibaugh, Sr., Cassidy Crittenden, Sr.; Ella Carpenter, So.; Natalie Clark, Jr.; Ariela Rivera, So.; Olivia Lee, Jr.

Key newcomer: Regan Caplan, So.

Roberts’ outlook: "We only lost one senior last year and all of our returners made significant progress from last year to this year in our time trial. I think all of the girls have the potential to drop a lot of time and make a stronger team than last year. With the progress all the girls are making, they have the potential to drop a lot of points off the team score and move up in the region. Mia Adams is working hard and has big goals for the season. Gracie Defibaugh is progressing in her distance training and coming off a very successful track season with lots of confidence. Cassidy Crittenden is coming back strong after having a long-term injury and missing last cross country season. Behind them, we have a young team, but there are lots of girls that made good progress in track and are a lot stronger this season."

First meet: Saturday at Central Invitational in Woodstock

Millbrook

Coach: Jamie McCarty, fifth year.

Last year: Eighth in Region 4D.

Key losses: None mentioned.

Key returnees: Caroline McCurry, Sr.; Addison Stover, So.

Key newcomers: Marisol Lara, Fr.; Harper Weiss, Fr.; Aubrey Steinmetz, Fr.; Adilyn Steinmetz, Fr.; Savannah Florek, Sr.; Caydence Bayne, Jr.

McCarty’s outlook: "It's been a very different summer for us. We have doubled our numbers from last year. Savannah and Caydence have come over from the track side and our freshman group has been working really hard. It will be much more competitive to make the varsity team this year. We are definitely excited about the potential in this group. Addison and Caroline have continued the momentum they had at the end of track season, from both the running and leadership aspects. It's going to be a difficult road with several of the top teams in the state in Region 4D. James Wood, Handley, Charlottesville, Sherando and Blacksburg all have very talented teams. If we can be a top-five team, as young as we are going to be, I would call [this season] a success."

First meet: Seven-school home meet at Third Battle of Winchester course on Sept. 4

Clarke County

Coach: Jeff Webster, 10th year.

Last year: Second in Class 2 state; Region 2B and Bull Run District champions.

Key losses: No departures.

Key returnees: Teya Starley, Sr.; Abby Cochran, Sr.; Molly Husted, Sr.; Ashley Moran, So.; Saniyah Caldwell, Jr.; Mia Timberlake, So.; Aubrey Wagner, Jr.

Key newcomers: Carmen Russell, So.; Joelle Cunningham, Fr.; Macie Wolf, Fr.; Natalie Perry, Fr.

Webster’s outlook: "We feel confident in how we will match up against schools of our size in the postseason, but that is a long way off. We will trust and follow the patterns that have proven successful in the past and not take anything for granted. Teya, Abby and Molly have led the varsity returnees coming into the season. Emma Husted and Carmen Russell are coming off a successful track season and are progressing well this fall."

First meet: Saturday at Central Invitational in Woodstock

— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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