The Elite Shine at the VA Showcase
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The 2024 VA XC Showcase delivered exactly what was promised-fast competition, thrilling races, and standout performances at Pole Green Park. Over 5,300 athletes competed, but it was Soheib Dissa and Abby Faith Cheeseman who stole the show individually, while St. Albans School and James W. Robinson claimed the prestigious team titles.
Newtown High School's Soheib Dissa was unstoppable, charging through the course to win with an impressive new personal best of 14:47.60. Hot on his heels was Joshua Taylor of Clover Hill, who crossed the line in 14:50.20, followed by Trent Daniels of Gainesville High School in 14:52.00, rounding out a strong top three.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Soheib Dissa | 12 | Newtown High School | 14:47.60 | ||
| 2 |  Joshua Taylor | 11 | Clover Hill | 14:50.20 | ||
| 3 |  Trent Daniels | 11 | Gainesville High School | 14:52.00 | 1 | |
| 4 |  Tristan Yoder | 12 | Broadway | 14:56.40 | 2 | |
| 5 |  Sebi Hume | 12 | St. Albans School | 14:57.20 | 3 | |
| 6 |  Tate Shore | 12 | Reagan | 14:59.10 | 4 |
On the girls' side, Abby Faith Cheeseman of The Webb School of Bell Buckle dominated the field, running a season-best time of 16:48.70. Heating up at just the right moment ahead of the championship part of the cross country season, Cheeseman put on a strong performance to outpace the competition. Elaina Pierce of Charlottesville was runner-up in 16:54.70, and Claire Stegall of Nolensville High School took third in 16:57.10.
On the team side, St. Albans School emerged victorious with a total of 96 points, thanks to a strong 1-5 split of just 55 seconds and a team average of 15:27. Led by Sebi Hume's fifth-place finish, the team put together an outstanding group effort, placing three runners in the top 25 to secure the win. Blacksburg High School finished second with 175 points, and Calvert Hall College High School took third with 193 points.
| PLACE | VIDEO | ATHLETE | TEAM | MARK | POINTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Abby Faith Cheeseman | 12 | The Webb School Of Bell Buckle | 16:48.70 | ||
| 2 |  Elaina Pierce | 11 | Charlottesville | 16:54.70 | 1 | |
| 3 |  Claire Stegall | 12 | Nolensville High School | 16:57.10 | ||
| 4 |  Caroline Barton | 12 | Carolina Day School | 17:01.30 | ||
| 5 |  Kate Loescher | 12 | Colonial Forge | 17:04.00 | 2 | |
| 6 |  Elyse Wilmes | 12 | Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School | 17:09.50 | 3 | |
| 7 |  Kerrigan Chaney | 12 | North Cross | 17:09.60 | ||
| 8 |  Kasey Dingman | 11 | Lake Norman | 17:15.70 |
James W. Robinson claimed the girls' team title with 134 points, led by their pack of scorers who averaged 18:12 with a 1-5 split of 2:17. Their consistent top finishes across the board helped them fend off Spotswood, which finished second with 167 points. Spotswood's top two runners in Marika Dickel and Ashland Dickel placed sixth and seventh among scoring runners individually, making them strong contenders in the team standings.
The 2024 VA XC Showcase lived up to its billing as a meet featuring not only top-tier competition but also blazing fast times. With Soheib Dissa and Abby Faith Cheeseman setting the standard for individual performances and St. Albans and James W. Robinson delivering stellar team victories, this meet continues to solidify its place as a premier event on the national cross country calendar.