Potomac Falls High School’s boys cross-country team’s reign as AA Dulles District meet champions came to a halt Oct. 20 in Leesburg.

Loudoun County earned the distinction of Dulles District meet champions Thursday, a title held by Potomac Falls since the district’s inception in 2001. Four Raiders placed among the top 15 runners during the blustery afternoon at Oatlands Plantation. County was also regular-season champions.

“Unbelievable,” said Raiders coach Courtney Campbell when asked about his team’s district title. “I’ve been trying to beat Potomac Falls for 10 years.”

Junior Patrick Joseph led the way for County, immediately taking and maintaining the lead in the boys’ race by several strides. Joseph finished with a time of 16:27.

“Regionals are going to be tough,” Joseph said. “But I’m going to go in strong; hopefully come out strong.”

Campbell feels nothing but confidence in his star runner.

“Last track season, he realized that he was really good,” Campbell said. “He has a legit shot at states.”

Joseph was joined on the podium by teammate Josh Showalter, a senior who finished third. Senior Evan McCarthy of Woodgrove took second with a time of 16:48.

Potomac Falls, Dominion and Tuscarora joined County in qualifying for regionals with top four team finishes.

On the girls’ end, the district race appeared to be going smoothly, with one of the favorites Melissa Rizor in second place, until the unexpected happened.

In between miles one and two, the Briar Woods senior fainted.

Though Rizor regained consciousness and rebounded to finish 57 out of 63 runners, her absence gave Potomac Falls sophomore Sarah Dillistin the opening she needed. Dillistin won the meet with a time of 19:24, leading Potomac Falls to the team title in the process.

“I just run,” said an elated Dillistin. “I don’t expect to come in first place.”

Dillistin’s strategy worked, as she bested runner-up, sophomore Natalie Rosas of Tuscarora, by 43 seconds. Senior Audrey Houghton of Woodgrove rounded out the top three with a time of 20:09, just two seconds shy of Rosas.

Though Potomac Falls tied with Briar Woods and Woodgrove for the regular-season district title, coach Dolph Null did not anticipate winning the meet.

“It was a surprise,” Null said. “A pleasant surprise.”

Woodgrove, Heritage and Tuscarora also earned region bids as the top four teams and top 15 individuals from each race advance to regionals. The Region II meet is Nov. 3 at Great Meadow in The Plains.

Potomac Falls runner Sarah Dillistin crossed the finish line in 19:24 to place first in the girls race at the Dulles District cross-country meet.—Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

Click here for full boys and girls results.

Click here for more photos.

Boys Team
Loudoun County (43)
Potomac Falls (61)
Dominion (96)
Tuscarora (107)
Briar Woods (117)
Woodgrove (136)
Loudoun Valley (150)
Heritage (163)
Park View (281)

Boys Top 15
Patrick Joseph (LC) 16:27
Evan McCarthy (W) 16:48
Josh Showalter (LC) 17:07
Ethan Pacifico (PF) 17:12
Ryan Hughes (BW) 17:19
John Dooney (T) 17:21
Jordan Ferbrache (PF) 17:24
Bruce McIntosh (LC) 17:24
Sam Coffman (D) 17:26
Jason Eller (D) 17:30
Stephen Cathey (PF) 17:32
Matthew Weinstein (LV) 17:33
Logan Feierbach (T) 17:33
Samuel Rodgers (T) 17:39
Ben Heberling (LC) 17:40

Girls Team
Potomac Falls (69)
Woodgrove (82)
Heritage (92)
Tuscarora (106)
Briar Woods (107)
Dominion (108)
Loudoun County (121)
Loudoun Valley (179)
Park View (291)

Girls Top 15
Sarah Dillistin (PF) 19:24
Natalie Rosas (T) 20:07
Audrey Houghton (W) 20:09
Lydia Cromwell (W) 20:11
Kaeley Brady (PF) 20:22
Kathryn Eder (LC) 20:24
Sydney Shepherd (D) 20:31
Lindsay Cook (D) 20:31
Lori Kostka (T) 20:31
Molly Polizotto (LV) 20:37
Jackie Deffer (BW) 20:43
Ally Cabrey (H) 20:51
Lisa Pallotta (H) 20:52
Carolyn Gorick (BW) 20:55
Anna Nordseth (LC) 20:56