Blue Demon course tamed by Christiansburg

CHRISTIANSBURG, VA -- The Blue Demon Invitational hosted by Christiansburg High School has more hills than most cross-country courses, and is not for those favoring flat courses. Only the start is relatively flat and everything else is either uphill or downhill. The anticipated match-up between Christiansburg and Rockbridge County did not materialize as Christiansburg continued their early season dominance of Southwest Virginia teams. Christiansburg won team trophies for boys and girls, and first place individual trophies for boys and girls.

Boys report:

With Will Williams of Rockbridge County still recovering from the affects of the flu, the anticipated early season battle between the #1 ranked 2A pre-season runner (Williams) and the current #1 ranked runner Justin Hatch of Christiansburg was not a battle at all. Justin Hatch a senior missed the course record by 7 seconds with a time of 16:27. Former All-American Fleet Hower of Marion set the course record in 2001. Hatch ran like he was on a mission and was never seriously challenged. Sophomore teammate John Horst and Pulaski County junior Lance McDaniel set the early pace through the first major hill. At the top of the first hill, Hatch made a spurt that would carry him down the next long hill as he distanced himself from the field. Horst was never challenged for 2nd as he finished in 16:46, and he continues to look impressive early in the season. McDaniel also suffering from flu symptoms gave way to Williams near the first mile mark, and Williams went on to finish 3rd in 17:23. Nathan Chambers of Marion would take 4th in 17:44.64, and Jessie Hutcheson of Christiansburg would take 5th in 17:44.64 as they both passed McDaniel in the last 50 meters. McDaniel would hold on for 6th in 17:47 with the fast closing 15th ranked Andrew Friski of Rockbridge County placing 7th in 17:49. The top seven runners received t-shirts honoring their All Blue Demon Invitational team designation. Rounding out the top ten were Will Frye of Pulaski County in 17:56, Miles Morrison of Rockbridge County in 18:02, and Adam Campbell of Salem in 18:06.

Girls report:

Kirsten Hagen a senior from Christiansburg for the second week in a row destroyed a field of talented runners as she set another course record in as many weeks. Hagen shattered the course record by 34 seconds with a time of 19:00.00. Shannon Saunders of Jefferson Forest set the previous mark of 19:34.00. This is an amazing feat considering her nearest rival finished over 2 minutes behind. Hagen who is ranked 4th in the state in 2A makes one wonder if there are any runners running better than she is. 14th ranked Kelly Zwart of Rockbridge County finished comfortably in 2nd place with a time of 21:11.00. Laura Sitze of Cave Spring would take 3rd in 21:37.00. The rest of the girls to make the All Blue Demon Invitational team were Allie Lewis of Hidden Valley in 21:43, Hannah Roller of Altavista in 21:44, Kate Payne of Christiansburg in 21:45 and Kimberly Begley of Abingdon in 21:55. Rounding out the top ten and receiving medals were 8th place Nikki Harvey of Cave Spring in 21:55, 9th place Claire Lenviel of Abingdon in 22:01, and 10th place Maggie Lester of Patrick Henry Glade Spring in 22:18.

The team competition was very close as Christiansburg edged Cave Spring 64 points to 67 points. Abingdon took home the third place trophy with 95 points. Rockbridge County would finish in 4th with 115 points and Blacksburg took 5th with 122 points.