The Potomac Falls Panthers placed five runners in the top 30 overall on their way to winning the girls team championship at the Region II cross-country meet, contested Nov. 3 on Great Meadow’s non-state course in The Plains. Loudoun County’s boys team continued their strong season with a runner-up finish.

The Panthers totaled just 71 points among their top five runners, 39 points less than runner-up Brentsville District. Sophomore Sarah Dillistin - fresh off her individual title at the Dulles District meet - paced Potomac Falls with her second-place finish Thursday.

Dillistin’s finish time of 19:21 was 52 seconds behind individual champion Crystal Nelson of Millbrook. Junior Mackenzie Barclay (19:21), seniors Kaeley Brady (20:37) and Katie Palmer (20:45) and junior Corey Bolyard (20:49) also produced top 30 finishes for the Panthers.

Woodgrove placed third with 121 points and Heritage (124 points) edged Warren County by a point for fourth place - the final team qualifying spot for the Virginia AA cross-country championships.

Senior Lydia Cromwell (20:08) led the second-year Wolverines with her 12th place finish, while senior teammate Audrey Houghton (20:16) crossed the finish line in 15th place. 

The Pride were also paced by a senior - Lisa Palotta (20:42) in 21st place - but were aided by a trio of freshmen - Zoe Foxhall (20:47), Amanda Phillip (20:53) and Ally Cabrey (20:47).

Tuscarora sophomore Natalie Rosas (19:49) and Loudoun County senior Kathryn Eder (19:51) qualified for states as individuals with top 15 finishes.

Moving over to the boys’ race, Loudoun County received top 10 finishes from junior Patrick Joseph and senior Josh Showalter to place second as a team behind meet champion Western Albemarle.

Joseph - the Dulles District individual champion - completed the course in 16:01, good for runner-up honors. Warren County senior Seumas O’Reilly crossed the finish line first in 15:50. Showalter (16:51) finished in 10th place.

The Raiders - Dulles team champions - were also aided by strong finishes by seniors Bruce McIntosh (17:17) and Matt Gambogi (17:34), and junior Caleb Hoehner (17:49).

Skyline placed third with 94 points, while Potomac Falls (110) secured the final team qualifying spot to states with a fourth-place finish.

Senior Stephen Cathey (17:16), junior Ethan Pacifico (17:19), senior Grant Deker (17:21) and junior Jordan Ferbrache (17:27) each placed inside the top 30 for Potomac Falls.

Woodgrove senior Evan McCarthy (16:37), Tuscarora sophomore Josh Dooney (16:53) and Briar Woods sophomore Ryan Hughes (16:56) placed among the top 15 to qualify for states individually.

The Virginia AA cross-country meet is Nov. 12 at Great Meadow’s state course. 

Boys Team
Western Albemarle (67)
Loudoun County (87)
Skyline (94)
Potomac Falls (110)
Monticello (122)
Brentsville District (128)
Dominion (152)
Handley (163)
Fauquier (203)
Tuscarora (233)

Top 15 Boys
Seumas O’Reilly (Warren County) 15:50      
Patrick Joseph (Loudoun County) 16:01    
Dave Taylor (Western Albemarle) 16:11    
Thomas Madden (Skyline) 16:20        
Clay Jones (Skyline) 16:35        
Evan McCarthy (Woodgrove) 16:37        
Sean Park (Skyline) 16:47        
Chris Arslan (Handley) 16:50      
Ben Schiller (Western Albemarle) 16:50  
Josh Showalter (Loudoun County) 16:51    
John Dooney (Tuscarora) 16:53        
Ryan Hughes (Briar Woods) 16:56      
Danny Aldstadt (James Wood) 16:56      
Joseph Davet (James Wood) 16:56      
Chris Markham (Fluvanna) 16:57    

Girls Team
Potomac Falls (71)
Brentsville District (110)
Woodgrove (121)
Heritage (124)
Warren County (125)
Western Albemarle (129)
Fluvanna (145)
Tuscarora (155)
Millbrook (176)
Handley (217)

Top 15 Girls
Crystal Nelson (Millbrook) 18:29
Sarah Dillistin (Potomac Falls) 19:21
Kayla Gibbons (Warren County) 19:31      
Nicole Douma (Fluvanna) 19:45        
Rachel Byrd (Powhatan) 19:45        
Annie Taylor (Western Albemarle) 19:48
Leanna Eisenman (Warren County) 19:49    
Natalie Rosas (Tuscarora) 19:49      
Karly Knechtel (Millbrook) 19:50      
Kathryn Eder (Loudoun County) 19:51    
Noa Sager (Skyline) 20:03        
Lydia Cromwell (Woodgrove) 20:08        
Haley Ruiz (Brentsville) 20:08
Madeline Hermsmeier (Monticello) 20:09      
Audrey Houghton (Woodgrove) 20:16