James Wood, Handley and 2024 Class 2 state runner-up Clarke County all have multi-year streaks of competing in state meets.
Each will have different levels of experience on their teams this year, but they each boast rosters that are capable of performing at a high level once again.
James Wood earned its third-straight state berth last year (taking fifth) after placing second in Region 4D, and the Colonels bring back six of their seven runners from last year’s state meet.
The group is highlighted by three-time All-State performer and three-time Winchester Star Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year Kate Konyar, now a senior. Last year, Konyar posted the area’s fastest 3.1-mile time of 18 minutes, 1.7 seconds, and her second-place finish in Class 4 was the best state finish in program history and highest for any Winchester-Frederick County runner since 2011.
Individually, Konyar must still compete against defending state champion Elaina Pierce of Charlottesville, a senior who won last year’s state meet at Oatlands in Leesburg by 25 seconds over Konyar.
The Colonels no longer have their No. 2 runner in Ruby Ostrander (now at NCAA Division I Radford University), but James Wood’s formidable senior class also includes Alina Kieffer (First Team All-Area, 10th in Region 4D, season PR of 19:34.8), Katelyn Palmer (Second Team All-Area, 16th in Region 4D) and Lauren Thompson (Second Team All-Area, 32nd in Region 4D).
Handley (third in Region 4D, eighth in Class 4) competed in its second-consecutive state meet in 2024. The Judges bring back their top five runners and six of their seven competitors from last year’s Class 4 meet.
The Judges will be led by junior EJ Mullins (First Team All-Area, eighth in Region 4D, season PR of 19:22.3), senior Ella Warren (First Team All-Area, 11th in Region 4D, season PR of 19:51.2), junior twins Sage and Seneca Welpott (both Second Team All-Area and 15th and 17th in Region 4D, respectively) and senior Stephanie Truban (25th in Region 4D).
Millbrook had a strong fifth-place showing in Region 4D last year and returns four of its seven runners from that meet. Sophomores Harper Weiss (21st in Region 4D) and Marisol Lara (27th in Region 4D) were each named Second Team All-Area, and senior Caydence Bayne (19th) had the team’s highest Region 4D finish.
Sherando (seventh in Region 4D) no longer has Gracie Defibaugh, now at Radford University. The Warriors still have their usual No. 1 runner from 2024 in junior Mia Adams (Second Team All-Area), who placed 18th in the Northwestern District.
Region 4D teams will have to contend with defending Class 4 state champion Blacksburg, which was led by five underclassmen at last year’s state meet.
Clarke County placed second in Class 2 for the third year in a row in 2024, falling just one point behind state champion Floyd County. The Buffaloes appear to be loaded again, as their top four runners and six of their seven runners at last year’s state meet were underclassmen.
The Eagles are entering a new era as they pursue their fifth straight Region 2B title. For the first time since the spring 2021 season, the team’s No. 1 runner will not be four-time All-State performer Teya Starley. The Eagles’ graduation losses not only include Starley (fifth at last year’s state meet), but also fellow All-State runner Molly Husted (sixth, now at NCAA Division III Geneva) and Abigail Cochran (19th in Class 2 last year).
Jeff Webster’s Clarke County girls’ teams have competed in the state meet all 10 years he’s coached them, and this year’s squad still has two runners from last year’s state meet and five of its top 10 runners overall. Clarke County’s returning state runners are junior Ashley Moran (11th in Class 2 with a PR of 21:24.6 to earn a state medal, First Team All-Area) and junior Emma Husted (27th in Class 2).
The following is a glance at each area team:
Clarke County
Coach: Jeff Webster, 11th year.
Last year: Second in Class 2 state; Region 2B and Bull Run District champions.
Key losses: Teya Starley, Molly Husted, Abby Cochran, Sasha Danjczek.
Key returnees: Ashley Moran, Jr.; Emma Husted, Jr.; Mia Timberlake, Jr.; Aubrey Wagner, Sr.; Saniyah Caldwell, Sr.
Key newcomers: Maggie Myer, Fr.; Morley Hudson, Fr.; Lyla Gerenski, Fr.; Layla Hockensmith, Jr.
Webster’s outlook: “It is only fair to say that the girls’ team will have a very different look this season. We do return five of our top 10 runners, including Ashley Moran, who was the top scoring runner both among other freshmen and sophomores in 2A in her first two seasons. We are also quite optimistic that the returning leadership, along with the incoming runners will progress for another successful season. We cannot control what happens to other teams in 2A, but we do expect to be very competitive through the regional meet, and to remain in the conversation at the state meet for years to come.
“Ashley Moran battled through hip pain last season to return in time for the postseason. She is healthy and focused to keep progressing and leading the team. Mia Timberlake and Emma Husted have taken on team leadership roles and have valuable XC state meet experience, and are a part of the girls’ track championship team. They are quite motivated.”
First meet: Saturday at Central Invitational in Woodstock
James Wood
Coach: Matthew Lofton, sixth year.
Last year: Fifth in Class 4 state; second in Region 4D. Northwestern District champions.
Key losses: Ruby Ostrander, Kaitlin Combs.
Key returnees: Kate Konyar, Sr.; Alina Kieffer, Sr.; Katelyn Palmer, Sr.; Lauren Thompson, Sr.; Kirin Nashed, Sr.; Ally Oliver, Jr.; Melanie Padilla, So.
Key newcomers: Marley Savino, Jr.; Vivian Porter, So.; Abby Ebert, Fr.; Grace Dawson, Fr.
Lofton’s outlook: “We obviously would love to improve on our fifth-place state finish from last year, but it’s not going to be easy. Four-A is arguably the most competitive classification in the state and there seem to be new teams each year that are making an impact. The whole team, especially the newcomers, have put in a fantastic summer of training. I’m excited for the racing to start.”
First meet: Saturday at Central Invitational in Woodstock
Handley
Coach: Mark Stickley, seventh year.
Last year: Eighth in Class 4 state; third in Region 4D.
Key losses: Ellie Bessette, Meyly Vicente (now at NCAA Division III Roanoke), Izzy Doran (now at NCAA Division III Catholic).
Key returnees: EJ Mullins, Jr.; Ella Warren, Sr.; Stephanie Truban, Sr.; Sage Welpott, Jr.; Seneca Welpott, Jr.; Audrey Rinker, Jr.; Jayleh Porter, So.
Key newcomers: Charlotte Thomsen, Fr.; Ellie Miller, Fr.
Stickley’s outlook: “Basically, we have the entire top seven back from last year’s team that finished eighth in the state meet. Ellie Bessette, Meyly and Izzy were key contributors last year, as it always seemed to be a battle to keep everyone healthy, so they will be missed. I think we can improve on our state finish from last year if we are able to stay healthy. We have the talent and work ethic to be better than last year. Of course, our region is very competitive, so just getting to the state meet will be a challenge. I feel that Blacksburg and James Wood will have minimal drop-off from a year ago, and Charlottesville and Millbrook will be at least as good if not better than a year ago. So it’s a tough region.
“EJ has a better base coming in than last year and is mostly recovered from her track season injuries. Ella is rounding into good shape and I think will be better than last year now that she has corrected some health issues. Audrey Rinker is probably the most improved on the team and should tighten up the top five. Stephanie has been solid and is excited about her senior season. The twins are a bit up and down trying to stay healthy, but overall, Seneca seems to be ahead of where she was a year ago.”
First meet: Friday at Patriot Season Opener in Nokesville
Millbrook
Coach: Jamie McCarty, sixth year.
Last year: Fifth in Region 4D.
Key losses: Caroline McCurry, Addison Stover, Savannah Florek.
Key returnees: Aubrey Steinmetz, So.; Adilyn Steinmetz, So.; Harper Weiss, So.; Marisol Lara, So.; Caydence Bayne, Sr.
Key newcomers: Lilly Carr, So.; Sydney Volkman, Jr.; Layne Mendez, Sr.
McCarty’s outlook: “We return an experienced and strong core group, and feel good about our first five girls. We are looking for some girls to step in the six and seven spots and provide some competition. As always, we are in a tough region, and most of those teams return a lot of talented runners. We are going to have to improve a lot on last year’s performance to move up in the region and to have a shot to advance to the state meet. Last year’s JV girls have been really working hard. They know that we have a few varsity spots up for grabs and seem to be really pushing themselves to grab one of those spots.”
First meet: Wednesday in six-team meet at Third Battle of Winchester Battlefield course
Sherando
Coach: Megan Roberts, eighth year.
Last year: Seventh in Region 4D.
Key losses: Cassidy Crittenden, Gracie Defibaugh.
Key returnees: Mia Adams, Jr.; Ella Carpenter, Jr.; Regan Caplan, Jr.; Ariela Rivera, Jr.; Alli Lawson, Jr.
Key newcomers: Amelia Rice, Fr.; Addy Holbrook, So.
Roberts’ outlook: “Mia is ready to lead the team again. She’s coming into the season with a stronger time trial and a big PR in the two-mile in track. Losing Cassidy and Gracie is tough, but we’ve got some ambitious newcomers that are working hard and could fill those gaps. I think we can work to improve our score and placement at the regional meet. Regan Caplan, Ariela Rivera and Ella Carpenter are all coming into the season stronger than last year.”
First meet: Saturday at Central Invitational in Woodstock
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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