Experienced Bison look and act the part
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Bill Meade / News Virginian
Published: October 24, 2007
Sporting grey hair, the Bison won their second consecutive district title with a team score of 32 points, easily outpacing second-place Page County at the New Market Battlefield course.
The grey hairs ran like greyhounds, placing seven runners in the top 13.
Junior Aaron Pollard led the Bison stampede, finishing second in 19:24. Classmates Ryan Pyles and Nick Corbin came in together, finishing fourth and fifth respectively at 19:40.
Juniors Kyle Phillips and Curtis Long, along with seniors Sean Henke and Kurt Brill came in a pack of four, finishing 10th-13th respectively.
"They don't do as well when they're serious," said BGHS coach Mike Harmon. "Today they were loose -I hope they stay loose for regionals."
Wilson Memorial's Michael Barnes was the individual winner, touring the 5K course in 19:08.
"[Wilson cross country coach Steve Geiman] told me I couldn't get boxed in, so I sprinted out at the beginning," the Wilson junior said. "Every time I turned a corner I looked back and knew they were still coming."
Barnes was named Shenandoah District Boys Runner of the Year.
Riverheads also qualified as a team for next week's Region B Meet at Panorama Farms in Albemarle County.
Sophomore Tate Burkholder was the leading Gladiator, finishing 14th in 20:17.
One more spot back was Wilson's Quinton Knott, who was the final individual regional qualifier, finishing in 20:21.
Page County was a comfortable winner in the girls' race, finishing with a team score of 42 points. Luray was second with 62, followed by Stonewall Jackson with 66 and Riverheads with 104.
The top four teams from each of Wednesday's races move on to compete in the regionals.
Wilson Memorial sophomore Rachel Boxley was the top local individual winner, finishing fourth overall with a time of 23:20.
"I ran really well and set my own pace," Boxley said. "It was damp and cool and I was excited that I came forth in districts."
Riverheads sophomore Noelia Nunez was right behind Boxley, finishing fifth overall in 23:38.
"We were pushing each other," Boxley said. "It's nice to have someone you know push you at the bigger meets."
The leading Buffalo Gap girls' finisher was junior Laura Knott, who took eighth place in 24:02.
Also finishing in the top 15 and making the All-District team were Riverheads' Rebecca Grubb (14th in 24:34) and Buffalo Gap's Jenni Hendrick (15th in 24:37).
Luray's Jenny Logan finished 40 seconds ahead of second-place Tracey Swope of Stonewall Jackson for top individual honors in the girls competition.
Logan was named Shenandoah District Girls Runner of the Year.
Page County's Deborah Norton was named Girls Coach of the Year for the girls and Harmon was named Boys Coach of the Year.
Wednesday's race was the first appearance of the Buffalo Gap grey hairs.
"It's a trend, a ritual, a superstition," Corbin said.
One of the Bison runners said that the team wanted to look like their coach.
"They have a long way to go to do that," Harmon said.
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