Glory Days Cross Country Invitational
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Both the Varsity Boys' and Varsity Girls' Seeded Races Were Decided by a Mere Second
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By Sam Dowell
Fairfax High Senior
The second largest meet on the East coast did not disappoint on Saturday. With 74 teams participating and nine different races held, there was excitement all day.
But the best, it turned out, was saved for last.
The two main events -- the seeded varsity boys and seeded varsity girls races -- brought the most hype and most exciting results. The first place finisher in both races won by a mere second.
Senior Neal Darmody of Quince Orchard was running second with 100 meters to go before putting on an improbable burst of speed that allowed him to overcome Atlee's Ben Dejarnette to take first in a time of 15 minutes, 8 seconds. That was five full seconds off a course record.
"I just wanted it more and had to take it to the next level," Darmody said.
Darmody's first-place finish helped lead his team to a convincing victory over runner-up Robinson, as Quince Orchard's Top 5 runners averaged a time of 16:02. Robinson, meanwhile, showed strength of its own as it finished second, 74 points ahead of Potomac Falls.
Other notable individuals include last year's runner-up, Nic Bax of St. Albans, who placed fifth this year. Johns Ross of the Potomac School also put on a good performance, finishing third. Edison was well represented with Leoule Degfae and Tihut Degfae finishing in the Top 9.
On girls' race also came down to two runners in the final straightaway. In this race however, James River's Kristen Wolfe was able to hold off Chantilly junior Lia DiValentin for the first place finish with a time of 17:49.
"This course has not been kind to me the past two years," said DiValentin, who finished sixth in last year's Glory Days Invitational.
Lake Braddock's team, ranked No. 10 in the Southeast, continued its winning ways, easily claiming first place Saturday when each of its Top 5 runners crossed the finish line within 36 seconds of one another. Northwest finished second, led by sensational freshman Brittany Eckerstrom (fifth overall individually).
Other notable finishers include Megan Fitzpatrick of O'Connell, the winner of last week's Octoberfest meet who placed sixth in this weekend's ultra competitive field. Fitzpatrick said her plan was to, "run for herself" and enjoy one of her favorite courses.
Kristina Lee of Potomac Falls and Susanna Sullivan of George Mason High School both had stellar performances this week, placing 3rd and 4th respectively. Junior Frankie Dowd of Fairfax faced the toughest field of the season and finished in seventh place, one spot better than she did a year ago.
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