Blue Devils striving for states

Ron Counts
Published: August 20, 2008

After making it deep into the postseason last year, the Culpeper County High School boys cross country team is blessed is with a plethora of experienced seniors that are ready to hit the ground running.

“Having an experienced team helps because everyone knows there will be ups and downs,” CCHS senior Alex Wyman said. “That way we won’t get too upset over a bad race, and we’ll be able to push through mid-season slumps.”

Despite losing talented runner Charlie Bayne to Eastern View High School, skilled seniors Daniel Austin, Steven Reynolds, Jacob Aber and Wyman will anchor the Blue Devils this season.

“We’ve all been working really hard all summer to get ready for the season,” Austin said. “This is the best early season form I’ve ever seen this team in.”

Much of last year’s varsity squad spent the summer mixing long runs with weight training, biking and swimming to build endurance for the season.

“As a team I think we have the potential to be very good this year,” CCHS head coach Kim Williams said. “I think we’re going to be up there contending for a district title. I say that every year, but it’s more so this year because the guys have gotten really serious about their training.”

With perennial powerhouses like Battlefield and Osbourn Park in the Cedar Run District, the Blue Devils know they have their work cut out for them, but they seem pretty confident.

“This year you’re going to find us in states,” Wyman said. “We’re going to make it or die trying.”

While Culpeper’s boys team is overflowing with experience, the girls team is a completely different story. Not only are the Devilettes only returning one starter from last year’s team, but they also have a first year coach in 23-year-old Justin Harding, who was a top runner for the Devils in 2002 and 2003.

“We’re not just looking at this season, but seasons to come,” Harding said. “With such a young team, we have the right girls in place to build a team for the future.”

The majority of the Devilettes roster is made up of two freshmen, a sophomore and a seventh grader. Their lone experienced runner is senior Cassie Elliot, who was an all district selection in her freshman and sophomore years.

“Since we don’t have that many people we all just have to really work together as a team every day,” Elliot said. “Then we can all hopefully progress over time and move forward.”

Both the girls and boys squads open their seasons on Sept. 6 at the FUMA Invitational.

Blue Devils Schedule
Date           Opponent Time
September 6 at Fork Union 9 a.m.
September 10 District quad 5 p.m.
September 13 at Woodberry Forest Noon
September 17 District preview 5 p.m.
September 20 at William & Mary Inv. 9 a.m.
September 24 at Liberty     5 p.m.
October 1 District Quad (Home)  5 p.m.
October 7 All-Area Meet (Home)           4 p.m.
October 22 Districts (Home) TBA