Jefferson Forest Boys End Loudoun Valley's 4A State Title Streak

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

With a shift from fall to spring for high school sports teams in Virginia due to the pandemic, a different season was presented with some new names emerging as champions at the Virginia State Cross Country Championships, held April 21-24.  

Class 6A-4A Leesburg

In the boys 4A race on Saturday held at the Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Jefferson Forest knocked off prevenial powerhouse Loudoun Valley to win the team title. It was a tight finish as Jefferson Forest did just enough to claim the crown with 61 points, edging out Grafton (62 points) and Loudoun Valley (65 points). Jefferson Forest put a halt to Loudoun Valley’s bid for a sixth consecutive crown and placed four runners in the top 19. Individually, Matthew Smith of Loudoun Valley crossed the 5,000-meter course in 16:22. 

The 4A girls race saw some familiar names as junior Ava Gordon led the way for Loudoun Valley, winning her second straight individual title in 18:49. Loudoun Valley had five runners in the top 13 and all six in the top 20 to score an impressive 33 points for the program’s third crown in a row since 2018.  

Sophomore Thais Rolly of McClean used a strong final push in the last 600 meters to overtake the lead and win the girls 6A title in a time of 18:36 on Thursday. Freshman Sailor Eastman of Battlefield was right behind in 18:38. Ocean Lakes won the team crown with 63 points. 

The Oakton boys easily won the 6A title with 37 points. Led by senior Garrett Woodhouse’s second-place finish (16:19), Oatland went 2-3-4, and had five runners in the top 20. Senior Bryce of Colgan won the race in 16:10.

On Friday, senior Arianna DeBoer led the way for Albemarle, winning the race in 18:47. Albemarle had three runners finish in the top eight to beat out Midlothian (54 points) to the 5A crown. 

In the boys 5A race, Brett Bishop, a junior from Douglas Freeman clocked the fastest time, winning in 16:22. Atlee won the team title with five runners in the top 18. Sophomore Travis Albon was the top placer for Atlee in fourth (16:48).

Class 3A-1A, Green Hill Park, Salem 

The Western Albemarle girls and boys made it a program sweep on the opening day of the three-day meet, claiming both 3A titles on Thursday at Green Hill Park in Salem. Junior Jenna Stutzman led the way for the girls crossing the line in 19:04.6. Western Albemarle placed four in the top 20 to edge out Hidden Valley, 63-69.

On the boys side, Western Albemarle sophomore Owen Shifflett led the way for his team with a first-place finish in 16:00.3. The team scored 47 points as four runners finished in the top 20. 

Class 2A

Radford girls defeated their 2A title with 52 points as three runners placed in the top 10. Individually, junior Carly Wilkes of Glenvar won in a blistering time of 18:13.5, more than a minute faster than the runner-up. Her time was the fastest of the state meet for all classifications. 

In a tight-race team against Radford, the Alleghany boys were able to secure the program's first ever 2A crown with 42 points as four runners crossed the line in the top 14. Senior Erik Honaker paced the team with a second-place finish in 16:42.3. Radford’s William Hartig, a senior, won the race in 16:27.7 as his team finished with 55 points for second. 

Class 1A

The George Wythe of Wytheville girls were able to defend their title scoring 44 points, as junior Morgan Dalton led the way, winning the race in 19:56.2. George Wythe placed four runners in the top eight

On the boys side, Parry McCluer was also able to defend its 1A title from 2019 as junior Trevor Tomlin won in 16:25.6. Four runners crossed the line in the top 20, as Parry McCluer scored 47 points to edge out Auburn (54 points). 

Team Champions 2021

Class 6A: Oakton boys 37 points; Ocean Lakes girls 63 points - RESULTS

Class 5A: Atlee boys 40 points; Albemarle girls 48 girls - RESULTS

Class 4A: Jefferson Forest boys 61 points; Loudoun Valley girls 33 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: Western Albemarle boys 47 points; Western Albemarle girls 63 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Alleghany boys 42 points; Radford girls 52 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: Parry McCluer boys 38 points; George Wythe (Wytheville) girls 44 points  - RESULTS