THE SPORTS DESK
Cross Country Notepad: W&L boys, girls have state goals
Six cross country programs will represent the Fredericksburg area in the team competition at the three state meets Saturday in The Plains.
The two represented by Washington & Lee High School may have the best chance at high finishes. The Eagles’ boys and girls captured the Northern Neck District championships two weeks ago. Both teams placed second at the Region A meet last week.
Washington & Lee boys coach Cole Vanover said his program is aiming for a top-six finish in the Group A competition Saturday. The Eagles’ girls are shooting for the top 10.
“The boys have qualified for the state meet every year since 2003 and the girls have been back and forth,” Vanover said. “I’d say cross country has been one of the more successful teams in our school, consistently.”
W&L’s girls are paced by sophomore Kathryn Beddoo, won the district and regional championships. Vanover said she won the region title by more than 30 seconds. He said she hasn’t been tested much this season, but is ranked in the top 10 in the state by milestat.com.
Beddoo earned top 15 honors at the All-Area meet last month at Fredericksburg Christian School.
“She’s a focused worker,” Vanover said. “She’s got a gift but she does whatever we ask. She’s a go-getter. When we tell her what needs to be done to be successful, she does that and then asks what else she can do.”
The Eagles’ girls are coached by former James Madison University All-American Cindy Flickinger, who was recently inducted into the Dukes’ athletic Hall of Fame.
Washington & Lee’s boys have been paced by senior Hudson Hut this season. Hut won the district title and placed 11th in the region.
The Colonial Forge girls will participate in the Group AAA competition Saturday. Courtland’s boys and girls as well as King George’s girls will compete in Group AA.
—Taft Coghill Jr.
