The stakes are high this week with the 44th annual Virginia Association of Independent Schools' state championships tomorrow at Woodberry Forest, followed by the Virginia High School League's state finals Saturday at Great Meadows in Fauquier County.

Mountain View's Dave Davis planned for a brief meeting with his two teams yesterday, before handing the coaching reins to assistant Michael Porter to assume his duties as meet director of Saturday's race.

"A lot depends on how things fall. There's a bit of luck and different things can happen," said Davis, who compared the team competition with a hand of poker.

Oakton, Western Branch, Robinson, Atlee and his own Wildcats are likely contenders for the boys crown. Mountain View finished third last year.

Thomas Porter is expected to challenge Ben DeJarnette of Atlee and Blake Theroux of Western Branch for top individual honors. Porter was runner-up a year ago to Midlothian's Jason Witt, who has graduated.

The competition begins with the Group AA girls race at 10:30 a.m. and concludes with the Group A boys race at 1:45 p.m.

The Spotsylvania Knights will be.... READ MORE

--Kurt Nicoll