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Flucos, Warriors fly in JD championship

For the first time since they joined the Jefferson District, the Fluvanna County girls cross country team is headed to the Region II championship. Behind a dominant finish led by Nicki Douma’s second place showing and capped with the Fluco’s fifth score, 17th place Kelsey Schlein, Fluvanna was able to capture its first ever Jefferson District title.

“It’s been a very great season,” said Fluvanna coach Rose Brogan. “Everyone shows up and works hard. There’s not been a single complaint in practice. I offered to give them a day off one time when I was out of town and they said no and asked for a 6 a.m. practice. It’s just an amazing team.”

Powhatan’s Rachel Byrd blew by all runners, finishing in first comfortably. Last season Byrd ran away with the Southside District title, finished third in the Region I championship and fifth in the Group AA championship. With a 26-second deficit between herself and Douma, Byrd’s junior campaign is off to a similar start.

“I love this course,” Byrd said of Panorama Farms. “I love the hills, I’m addicted to these hills. It’s an actual cross country course, not just a run around a high school campus… Last year I didn’t have great competition in the district, coming into this one, I didn’t know what to expect. My coaches keep giving me the names and times of the best runners. I just want to beat my own times right now.”

Douma, just a sophomore, was able to edge Monticello’s accomplished senior runner Madeline Hermsmeier to take second.

“I had it in my head that I was just going to chase Madeline because she’s a really good, experienced runner and I trusted her,” Douma said. “But I also trusted my training and knew I was capable of pulling it out and running ahead in that front pack. We challenged each other really well.”

Just 86 seconds after Douma finished, the Flucos had all five scorers finish with freshman Devon Burger taking fourth place. Respective junior and freshman Stephanie Bossong and Peyton Olinger took 10th and 11th. Schlein’s 17 th place showing gave the Flucos a commanding win over second place and defending champs, Western Albemarle.

The Warriors took second and secured the other Region II birth. In a day where underclassmen thrived, Western sophomore Alice Ducharme and freshman Annie Taylor led their team with fifth and sixth place finishes. Sophomore Sarah Grupp took 11th while junior Kelsey Pittman and sophomore Lexi Campbell wrapped up the Warriors scorers with respective finishes of 18th and 19th. The Flucos and Warriors were the only two teams to place all seven of its runners in the top-25.

Hermsmeier’s last JD run was made particularly interesting as the senior saw her freshman sister, Isabelle, finish fifth. The Mustangs placed fourth as a team, but those two will advance to the Region II thanks to their top-15 performances.

Other individuals advancing include Charlottesville’s Katherine Bouchard who was eighth. Powhatan’s Kaitlin Adams took ninth and teammate Taylor Holt placed 14th. Louisa’s Samantha Madison took the final Region II spot with her 15th place showing.

Western, Monticello cruise in boys race

It was an awfully lopsided showing for Western Albemarle in the boys race. The Warriors defended their JD title with an impressive group run where Dave Taylor took first place.

“It was a solid showing,” Taylor said. “With good conditions we ran a smart race. It’s a good sign. We’re going to keep doing our best and just see what happens.”

Gavin Ratcliff grabbed second, Adam Schiller followed in third, Andrew DeJong placed fifth and Dallas Pugh finished up the scoring with an 11th place race. All seven Western runners finished in the top-25 and the team’s total score was a staggering 22 points.

“I don’t want to take anything away from any of our runners but I thought Gavin Ratcliff and Andrew DeJong ran just excellent races today,” said Western coach Lindy Bain. “It’s nice to get big races out of those two guys.”

Worthy of note was that one of the team’s top runners, Ben Schiller, was unable to run this week, but should be ready next week.

“Getting Ben healthy is the big key —but the hay is in the barn right now so we just don’t want to burn it up,” Bain said.

Monticello finished comfortably ahead of Louisa County for second place and the last Region II bid. Anthony Tamberrino paced the Mustangs with a fourth place finish. Seniors Keenan Krantz and Dylan Ferrer took ninth and 10th respectively. 12th place and 15th place races from Reid Dickerson and Ryan Wolfe wrapped up Monticello’s run.

Louisa had all five of its scorers finish in the top-25 but finished in third by 36 points. However, Lions junior Ryan Donlon and senior Jason Meckle will advance to the Region II championship with the former taking eighth and the latter, 14th.

Two other runners qualified for the Region II race next week. They included Fluvanna’s Chris Markham who took sixth and Charlottesville’s Malloy Owen who was close behind in seventh.

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