Boys' Cross-Country Preview

Oakton is the class of the Virginia AAA Northern Region and, at season's end, might be holding its first state championship trophy since 2005. Last year, injuries during the postseason decimated the Cougars' lineup and ruined their shot at a state title. But the return of team co-captains Neal and Brian Hendricks, combined with the addition of Fairfax senior transfer Dante Morales, makes Oakton formidable again. Defending National District champion Edison also hopes to advance to the state meet behind twin brothers Leoule and Tihut Degfae. And although Jefferson returns just two of its top five scorers from a year ago in junior Brian Davenport and senior Alex Witko, it cannot be counted out. The Colonials were thought to be rebuilding last year before collecting the Northern Region and state championships. . . .

The early favorites to be the area's top runner are Mountain View senior Thomas Porter and Sherwood senior Solomon Haile. Last year, Porter posted some of the area's fastest times, placed second at the Virginia AAA championships and was selected All-Met runner of the year. Haile, who emigrated from Ethiopia last year and missed the 2007 cross-country season, emerged as one of the top high school track and field athletes in the United States He won the 5k at Nike Indoor Nationals in record time and, last spring, broke a 35-year-old record to win the Maryland 4A 3,200-meter championship. The two will meet for the first time Sept. 6 at the Great Meadow Invitational. . . .

Good Counsel was somewhat a surprise among private schools last season, pulling together a solid corps of runners that included Sam Rainard and David Sullivan, its top returners, and surging past DeMatha to finish first at the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship and third at the D.C.-Maryland private schools meet. DeMatha's Nos. 1 and 2 runners, Cory Puffett and Robert Patterson, will do what they can to help the Stags reclaim the WCAC title they last won in 2006. Gonzaga will also be in the hunt, as it returns many of its top scorers.

Howard County and Montgomery County had a combined seven schools reach the state podium last year. River Hill won its fourth Maryland 2A championship and, boasting the race's top two returners in Craig Morgan (second) and Sean Kirby (sixth), look poised for another top-three finish. Although Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Wilde Lake finished 1-2 in the 3A competition and return much of their scoring, it wouldn't be a complete surprise if Atholton, led by seasoned senior All-Met Graham Bazell, grabbed the crown.

-- Carl Little

Runners

to Watch

Leoule and Tihut Degfae, Edison, Seniors

These siblings had breakout seasons last year, finishing 1-2 at the Virginia AAA National District championships and giving the Alexandria school its first district team title since 1979. Four of Edison's top five scorers from a year ago are back and, in their final season, the Degfaes hope to lead an experienced team out of the region and to an appearance at the state championship meet.

KEY DATES

Sept. 6: Great Meadow Invitational, The Plains, Va.

Sept. 27: Bull Run Invitational, Parkton, Md.

Oct. 18: Georgetown Prep Invitational, Rockville

Oct. 25: WCAC Championships, Reston

Nov. 8: Maryland Championships at Parkton, Md.; Virginia Championships at The Plains, Va.