LoRusso Wins 1,600-Meter State Title

Joe LoRusso found it more difficult than usual to concentrate in school during the week leading up to yesterday's Virginia AAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. While walking casually with friends through the halls of Oakton High School, he grew nervous with excitement. Even during his favorite class, Philosophy, his mind often wandered as he daydreamed about running the perfect race.

Though LoRusso might know less than he should about the teachings of Kant and Aristotle, the extra attention he paid to plotting racing strategies earned him his first state championship. He won the 1,600-meter run in 4 minutes 15.53 seconds at George Mason Fieldhouse in Fairfax, the seventh-fastest time run in the event at the AAA meet.

"I was at school all the time thinking about it," said LoRusso, a senior. "It's just a really good feeling."

Western Branch of Chesapeake scored 65 points to win its second straight boys' team championship ahead of Nansemond River of Suffolk (37 points) and Bethel of Hampton (26).

Despite having no individual winners, Potomac was the area's top boys' team, finishing fourth. No boys' team from Northern Virginia has won a AAA title since Lake Braddock in 2001. The Bruins also had the last championship girls' team in 2002.

Landstown of Virginia Beach won the girls' title yesterday with 64 points, followed by Western Branch (57 points) and Westfield (42).

LoRusso spent much of the 1,600 meters in second place, close behind Midlothian senior Jason Witt. With two laps to go, he switched gears and began to lap the field. On the final curve, LoRusso kicked furiously for the win, producing the third fastest prep time in the country this season.

An hour later, he placed second in the 1,000, finishing a split second behind Westfield junior Matt Anderson (2:31.15).

Despite showing very little interest in running as a freshman -- he ran cross-country just to stay in shape for soccer -- LoRusso has transformed himself into a dedicated track athlete and Virginia's top miler.

"This is the culmination of all my work," LoRusso said. "I gave it all I got."

The success of Westfield's girls was due in large part to their own distance ace. Tasia Potasinski won the 1,600 in 4:59.04 -- the fastest time by a Virginian this season -- before capturing the 1,000 in 2:57.59. On Friday, the senior won her first state title after anchoring the Bulldogs' 4x800 relay team to victory.

Virginia AAA Championships A "Hyter" Level: Osbourn Park All-Met Bethany Hyter captured her first state title, winning the 500 meters in 1:14.64. "I ran my race, I ran as hard as I could, and I did it," she said. Panther Power: Potomac's Joshuah Turner, Wesley Jones, Brice Mathews and Eric Gyamfi won the 4x400 relay in 3:23.82, despite running from the slowest section. "We were the underdogs," Mathews said. "It feels great." Virginia AAA Championships A "Hyter" Level: Osbourn Park All-Met Bethany Hyter captured her first state title, winning the 500 meters in 1:14.64. "I ran my race, I ran as hard as I could, and I did it," she said. Panther Power: Potomac's Joshuah Turner, Wesley Jones, Brice Mathews and Eric Gyamfi won the 4x400 relay in 3:23.82, despite running from the slowest section. "We were the underdogs," Mathews said. "It feels great."