By Craig AmossThe Baltimore County cross country season opened with a pair of aces.
In what was certainly the best matchup of the day in the county, visiting Dulaney’s boys broke the ice on the new season and defending County champion Loch Raven at the same time with a slim 26-29 victory. And while it’s difficult to imagine ice being broken in early September with temperatures well into the eighties and a hurricane approaching, both teams at least brought out their heavy gear.
“Both schools, at least on the boys’ side, really went after it,” said Loch Raven coach Adam Hittner. Dulaney coach Chad Boyle agreed. “It gave both teams an opportunity to see how the other was faring at this point in the season,” he said.
Dulaney had to overcome a strong individual performance from Loch Raven senior Mike Glassman, who made like Hurricane Hannah while covering the difficult course in 17:28, more than 30 seconds ahead of his nearest pursuer. Word is he’ll be upgraded to a Category 3 or 4 by next week. The Lions’ Bill King (17:59) and Corey Hancock (18:20) claimed the next two spots for Dulaney, before Brandon Sweeney (18:22) and Dominic Rubino (19:03) pushed the Raiders back into the lead. Dulaney closed strong, however, with Jay Souder (19:13), Hal McVeigh (19:26) and Matt Rever (19:27) taking the sixth through eighth spots, comfortably ahead of Loch Raven’s James Glassman (19:33) and Wes Dingman (19:37).
“This is a gauge,” said Hittner, whose Raiders opened the season ranked No. 10 in the RunningMaryland state-wide poll, eight slots ahead of No. 18 Dulaney. “I’m sure this is going to bring the kids down to earth a bit. We’re the hunted instead of the hunters this year, and that’s a different position to be in.”
The Raiders will get another shot at the Lions in next weekend’s Barnhart Invitational at Dulaney, a race which will also feature perennial County contender Towson, as well as MIAA champion Calvert Hall and runner-up Archbishop Spalding.
“Next week’s boys race should be outstanding,” said Boyle. “It’s great to have Calvert Hall and all of those MIAA teams.”
In contrast to the boys race, the Dulaney-Loch Raven girls matchup had all the drama of last week’s lottery numbers. The Lions, led by senior Emily Biser (23:09), took the first five scoring positions and top seven slots overall to defeat the Raiders, 15-50. Biser, a converted field hockey player, was competing in her first-ever high school cross country race. So far, so good.
“A couple of the girls persuaded her to come out for cross country, and she made the right choice,” said Boyle. “I think her best days are still ahead of her.”
Right behind her on Friday were Kaylyn Peck (23:14), Jen Bae (23:27), Chelsey Bush (23:47), and Katie Cox (23:48) to round out the top five. Abbie Trippe (23:49), Hannah Lippy (23:49) also crossed before Loch Raven’s Sarah Buxbaum (24:07) was able to part the sea of Dulaney red. Dulaney’s Becky Nelling (24:26) and Loch Raven’s Emily Rappel (24:42) rounded out the top 10.