And it’s the Freshman

By Corine Gatti

Published: September 27, 2008

WEYERS CAVE — A rain soaked terrain did not stop the Fort Defiance Invitational at Weyers Community Center on Saturday morning. The course was drenched for the runners and the slick surface slowed the runners times.

Jefferson Forest broke away from competitors, and the harsh conditions, to capture first place in both the girls and boys runs. The Cavaliers averaged 22-minutes, 22-seconds for the girls and 17:50 for the boys.

The Cavaliers dominated both events, but Fort Defiance expected them to have a strong showing.

“Jefferson Forest is one of the top teams in the state. I knew it was going to be tough,” Fort girls coach Dave Stewart said.

The Fort Defiance boys squad finished third behind Lord Botetourt with an average of 18:35.

Waynesboro freshman Meredith Figgatt also conquered those hurdles, picking up her first win over defending Southern Valley Champion Whitney Fulk of Fort Defiance. Figgatt ran a 20:31 and Fulk clocked a 20:57.

“It was very swampy out there today on the trail,” Figgatt said. “I was trailing behind her [Fulk] in the first mile. I started to pick it up on the second mile or so. I really liked running on this course because there were less hills and I think that worked in my favor.”

Fulk finished in first place during the Augusta County Invitational on Sept. 20 with 19:57. Figgatt followed the senior with 20:13.

“I think this is going to build up her confidence up,” said Giants coach Julie Stevens. “This was a good race for her.”

After Figgatt and Fulk, Jefferson Forest’s Nicki Jannah was third and Leigh Schimmoeller placed forth. Fort’s Faith Lucas came in fifth place and Annie Shreckhise placed 12th for the Indians. Waynesboro’s Vicky Andersen and Bree Somonsen finshed 13th and 14th respectively. Stuarts Draft’s Caroline Parkins placed 15th.

It was another good day for the Little Giants’ Edward Ennis, who placed in the top five for the boys with an 18:01. Ennis dropped his personal record from 19 minutes after last season and finished fifth at the Augusta County Invitational last week with a 17:35.

“I’ve been working on my stride. Today I was trying to pace myself because of the bad conditions,” Ennis said. “My time was higher because of the wet course.”

As a team, the Fort girls placed second with 77 points behind Jefferson Forest’s 37. Alleghany placed third (105), Stuarts Draft (127) placed fourth, Rustburg (130) fifth, Broadway (132) sixth, Northside (147) seventh, Staunton River (166) eighth and Amherst County(172) ninth.

The Waynesboro girls did not score because they only fielded four runners.

In the boys individual event, the Lord Botetourt Zeke Hunsberger placed first with 16:45.

Josh Morris of the Jefferson Forest followed with 16:48 and his teammate Robert Deis came in at 17:37, Lord Botetourt Ben Luedtke was fourth with 17:50 and Waynesboro’s Edward Ennis was fifth with 18.01.

Jefferson Forest topped the boys in team ranking with 28 points. Lord Botetourt (79) placed second, Fort Defiance (81) placed third, Alleghany (140) was fourth, Amherst County (143)  fifth, Rustburg (148) finished sixth and Waynesboro (151) placed seventh.