Affolder Back In Lineup, Leads Loudoun Valley To 4A Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It was business as usual for the No. 1 team in the county on Saturday. Led by senior Sam Affolder, the Loudoun Valley boys cross country team put together a near perfect score, 16 points, to win the 4A Virginia State Championship for the fourth year in a row. 

At Great Meadow, Affolder crossed weather-dampened 5,000-meter course in 15 minutes, 30 seconds to win the individual crown for the second year in a row. He was followed by teammates Jacob Hunter (15:57) and Kellen Hasle (16:00). The Vikings had all seven runners in the top 10. Affolder, who is committed to run for the University of Washington, hasn’t raced a ton this season due to college visits. He said this was the first race where he was told to put in a hard effort. 

“Glad that I got out of it injury free, my ankles are a little sore post race, just from having to bend in weird ways through that first marshfield, but I definitely really had fun with it and executed pretty well,” Affolder said. “Usually I’ll like fall asleep during the second mile, but I think I was definitely able to stay on top of things and focus in the second mile. I think we’re all excited for what’s to come.”

Affolder said the last 600 meters of the race, which is a straightaway, has been a point of emphasis during practice. It's something Affolder knows will be a big factor in the next few weeks. 

“(The) postseason races are going to come down to the last 1K of the race and it’s what is going to separate top five from first place,” he said. "It’s definitely something that gives me confidence going to postseason knowing that I have got the mental edge now, I can accelerate, and still have a lot left in me.” 

Loudoun Valley will now prepare to defend its Nike Cross National Championship with a trip to the NXR Southeast later this month.

“I would say I’m on cruise control right now knowing that the work has been done, and all we have to do is continue do what we’ve been doing all season,” Affolder said. “I think we are all excited to do what we do best: win.” 

Saturday wasn’t just about the Vikings boys. The Loudoun Valley girls were equally as impressive as they scored 44 points to edge out Blacksburg (48 points) to win the 4A state crown. Sophomore Ricky Fetterolf (18:23) won the race for the Vikings, who put four runners in the top 20.

“It’s been really exciting,” Affolder said of having the girls team enjoy success too. “They have a good shot at possibly qualifying (for Nationals) too.”

In 5A action, junior Colby Burcham led Deep River to a narrow victory, winning the race in 16:08. Deep River scored 81 points to hold off Glenn Allen (83 points). In 5A girls, Deep River made it a sweep of individual titles as senior Lily Snow won in 18:51. Tuscarora repeated as team champs with 79 points.

The 6A boys team title was captured by W T Woodson with 72 points as it held off West Springfield (78 points). Western Branch senior Chase Osborne won the individual title in 15:55. The 6A girls title went to West Springfield with 54 points as the team placed five runners in the top 25. Senior Mckenzi Watkins of Colonial Forge won the race in 18:49. 

3A-1A

On Friday, Joe Hawkes led Western Albemarle to another 3A title in dominant fashion, winning in 15:39. Western Albemarle captured the top four spots to score 20 points. Second place went to Christiansburg (99 points).

In the girls 3A race, Hidden Valley placed four runners in the top 12 to score 35 points and win the team title. Tabb’s Kasandra Aulenbach won the individual title in 18:41.

Maggie Walker claimed the boys 2A team title once again, scoring 34 points, with three runners in the top 10. Senior Oliver Wilson-Cook of Robert E Lee won the race in 16:12.

In girls 2A action, Maggie Walker’s Mary Caroline Heinen, a junior, won in 18:25. Clarke County held off Maggie Walker’s bid for a repeat as they scored 51 points to win the team title. 

It was another Auburn sweep in 1A, as both the boys and girls both won. The Auburn boys placed three runners in the top 10 to score 69 points and hold off George Wythe (72 points). Junior Jordan Keith of Holston won in 16:15.

The Auburn girls easily won with 40 points, as Parry McCluer finished runner-up with 56 points. Freshman Morgan Dalton of George Wythe won the individual race in 19:08. 

Team Champions

Boys 6A - W T Woodson points 72 points RESULTS

Girls 6A - West Springfield 54 points RESULTS

Boys 5A - Deep Run 81 points RESULTS

Girls 5A - Tuscarora 79 points RESULTS

Boys 4A - Loudoun Valley 16 points RESULTS

Girls 4A -  Loudoun Valley 44 points RESULTS

Boys 3A - Western Albemarle 21 points RESULTS

Girls 3A - Hidden Valley 35 points RESULTS

Boys 2A - Maggie Walker 34 points RESULTS

Girls 2A - Clarke County 51 points RESULTS

Boys 1A - Auburn 69 points RESULTS

Girls 1A - Auburn 40 points RESULTS