DCXC

Who’s coaching who? Lessons from cross country practice work both ways

By Kelyn Soong
Kelyn Soong (left) consults with Tom Martin (right) as Ashley Corbey (center) looks on. Photo: Zeke Ross

Doubts swirled around my head, and my right quad muscles ached with cramp-like pain. It was only ten miles into the 2021 Philadelphia Marathon but as I watched what felt like hundreds of runners zip past me, I started to recalibrate my pre-race goal: Three hours and 50 minutes became four hours. Then four and a half hours. Then simply finishing.

The race turned into a mental battle. My legs screamed for me to stop and walk, while my brain urged me to continue on pace. The 10th mile would be my slowest up to that point. I tried to find motivation wherever I could. I repeated the mantras, “mind over body” and “don’t run scared,” to myself as I locked on to the runners in front of me. I visualized how satisfying it would feel when I crossed the finish line with another sub-four hour marathon. I thought about my supporters back home who were tracking my race online. 

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When parents are the cross country rookies

By Mollie Zapata
Parents and friends watch the 2015 Monroe Parker Invitational. Photo: Charlie Ban

As a new high school cross country season begins, there are things parents of aspiring runners need to know to best support their child’s budding interest in this glorious sport. Cross country is its own unique (and painful) animal. And high school cross country, with its range of talent, experience, and intensity among athletes, parents, and coaches, requires some advance preparation and understanding before diving in.

First, the setting matters. Races can range from tri or quad meets with just a few teams lining up in a parking lot, to a massive invitational with colorful tents, banners flying and packs of kids running around in every possible shade of bright matching singlets. It can feel more like a medieval fair than a modern day sporting event.

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Zeigler’s triple highlights first of two state meet weekends

By Charlie Ban
Ella Zeigler leads the 2021 Glory Days Cross Country Invitational. Photo: Charlie Ban

Blake senior Ella Zeigler swept the distance races at the Maryland 4A state track championships, running 2:5.42 for 800 meters, 5:04.31 for 1600 meters and 10:59.06 for 3200 meters.  Walter Johnson was third in the 4×800 in 9:33.43.

Northwood’s Lamar Wilson led local boys with a runner-up finish in the 800 meters (1:56.67) and a third place finish in the 1600 meters (4:19.45), while Blair’s Edward Lyness (9:26.70) was third in the 3200 meters.  Walter Johnson was second in the 4×800 in 8:05.46.

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Hunters celebrate Mother’s Day in new home, new role

By Charlie Ban

Former Westfield runner and All-RunWashington honoree Johnny Pace produced a video for the Pacers Running film series on Joan and Drew Hunter.

Check it out, along with stories about Joan coaching Drew in high school, Loudoun Valley’s 2017 national title, the team’s 2018 title defense and Joan’s move to Colorado last year.

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All-RunWashington post-season team 2021

By Charlie Ban
One of the 2021 season's best rivalries played out five times, including the Liberty District Championship in Virginia, where McLean's Xavier Jemison sized up Yorktown's Owen McArdle. Photo: Charlie Ban

After an odd mixture of make-up cross country seasons in the spring – somewhat recognizable in Virginia, an empty-tasting few weeks in Maryland, and nothing in Washington, D.C. – the sport resumed its normal fall schedule in 2021. Local teams took home state titles in Maryland (Poolesville boys and Walter Johnson girls), Virginia (Oakton boys and Loudoun Valley girls) and, of course, D.C. (St. John’s). Owen McArdle, Thaïs Rolly and Ava Gordon all made the national Eastbay Cross Country Championships.

The RunWashington coaches panel recently met and decided the post-season honorees: the All-RunWashington team, which includes the top 10 boys and girls in our coverage area, and seven  more runners each in D.C., Maryland and Virginia runners. Our coverage area includes Washington, D.C.; Loudoun, Prince William, Fairfax and Arlington counties (and all independent cities therein); and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

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All-RunWashington Virginia post-season team 2021

By Charlie Ban
Runners navigate the Bull Run Reginal Park mud at the Glory Days Invitational. Photo: Charlie Ban

RunWashington’s coaches panel reviewed the 2021 season and picked the seven girls and seven boys for the All-RunWashington Virginia team.

Our coverage area includes Washington, D.C.; Loudoun, Prince William, Fairfax and Arlington counties (and all independent cities therein).

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