Just because it’s the summer and school isn’t in session doesn’t mean the defending Virginia state cross-country team champion Bishop O’Connell Knights have remained idle in regard to defending their high-school titles this upcoming fall season.
The official schedules begin in late August or early September at various meets for all metro-area high-school teams. Many of those teams, including O’Connell, already are preparing by at least holding informal volunteer practices a couple of times a week or so.
Meet schedules can be found online.
O’Connell had one of the area’s best squads last year, actually winning two state titles. O’Connell first won the Virginia state Catholic crown, then captured the Division I private-school state championship for the first time in 25 years.
The team’s goal this fall is to defend both titles. With a deep squad, including four of its top five returning runners, along with other key contributors, the Knights have a strong potential to do just that.
“The team is motivated to have a great season and peak at the right time,” O’Connell coach Jim Connor told RunWashington.
The season opens for O’Connell on Friday, Sept. 4 in Leesburg at the Trials of Miles meet. Next is the annual Monroe Parker Invitational at Burke Lake Park on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The state Catholic meet is Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Occoquan and the Division I state championship on Thursday, Nov. 12 at Panorama Farms near Charlottesville.
Two top returning runners for the Knights are senior Jayse Brefczynski at the No. 1 position and his sophomore brother Landon Brefczynski at No. 2. Jayse placed fifth in the Division I state meet last fall and Landon 12th.
Others who ran in that meet last season are now rising senior Ian Bradley and rising juniors Peter Fleenor, Ryan Street, Kyle Jayme and Rai Detton. All are expected back this season. Fleenor was 16th in the 2025 Division I meet, Street 37th, Bradley 59th, Detton 66th and Jayme 69th.
“We have some new potentially good runners, but until you see them practice and compete you never really know about them,” Connor said.
Jayse Brefczynski won the state Catholic meet.
“Jayse and Landon were phenomenal last season,” Connor said.
A couple of the defending state championship cross-country teams from Maryland in the metro area are the Class 3A Severna Park girls, led by rising senior Josie Kamas, and the Class 4A Bethesda-Chevy Chase girls, led by rising senior Nya Stoian, who is the defending individual state champ.
In Virginia, the Lake Braddock boys and the Robinson girls are the defending Class 6 public-school state champions. Each has a number of key returning runners.
The defending District of Columbia State Athletic Association cross-country team champions are the Georgetown Visitation girls, led by defending individual champion and rising senior Abigail Anstett, and the St. John’s College High School boys, led by top returning runner Ian Rosenberg.
