By Robert Niedzwiecki

The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER —

Led by Thorne, James Wood tied for ninth with 26 points. Thorne was pleased to have won, but he was hoping for more of a challenge, particularly from Fluvanna’s Damien Harris. Harris came in with a seed mark of 6-5, but he tied with Millbrook’s Bobby Stanley for second at 6-0.

“I was expecting [Harris] to be right on my tail so I could perform a lot better,” said Thorne, who also placed second in the triple jump with a personal-best 43-11. “I’m aiming for the school record [6-61/4], so I feel like if I keep jumping like I am, [I’ll do it] next week.”

Though Thorne only took 10th in the long jump, James Wood coach Matt Stegmaier said Thorne had an impressive day and has set himself up well for the state meet.

“He has yet to be pushed in these big meets, but he’ll be pushed next weekend,” Stegmaier said. “It will be nice to see what he does.” After finishing the 800 meters, Millbrook High School’s Christian Crawford walked over to Sherando’s Berham McDowell with hands held high to congratulate him on a job well done.

McDowell slapped the hands, then the duo brought their arms down together in a circular motion. It was a celebration of friendly rivalry.

Make no mistake though — McDowell would have been gritting his teeth just a little if it was he who had to take a second-place medal.

The junior McDowell led most of the way in the 800 to capture the first postseason track event of his career at the Region II meet Thursday at the Handley Bowl.

One week after taking second to Crawford by 0.71 seconds at the Northwestern District meet, McDowell beat the runner-up Crawford by 0.64 Thursday with a time of 1:59.23.

“I just took all that energy from last week when I lost, and instead of being negative about it I just took it and said I’m going to come out today and push hard,” McDowell said.

McDowell was one of three local winners, joining James Wood’s James Thorne (6-foot-4 in the high jump) and Handley’s Tom Delaney in the 3,200 (9:38.23), and he led Sherando to the area’s highest team finish. The Warriors took fourth with 30.33 points, trailing only Fauquier (96), Park View (58) and Warren County (32).

McDowell’s strategy was pretty simple in the 800.

“All out from start to finish,” he said.

McDowell took the lead from the start, but with 200 meters to go, his advantage was gone. Already feeling the pressure from behind, McDowell began his kick at that point, and he surged past a game Crawford on the final straightaway to win a long-overdue championship.

“It means the world,” McDowell said. “I waited three years to be district champion, and it didn’t happen. So I’m glad I came out here and won regionals.”

Sherando coach Tom Grim said McDowell skipped the 1,600 Thursday so he could save his strength for the 800. Grim said the performance was good to see, especially when McDowell held off Crawford.

“We thought, ‘Uh oh, here he comes,’” Grim said. “And Berham just said, ‘Nope. Not happening today, buddy.’ He was determined today.”

Millbrook placed 13th with 19 points and Handley, which got all its points from Delaney in the 3,200, tied for 16th with 10.

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