Wilson Returns to Course, Leaves With Octoberfest Title

It was the kind of weather that felt comfortable to spectators but could be punishing for runners, and it gave Anneka Wilson a flashback. During a race last year, on the same course as yesterday's Octoberfest Invitational, she lost consciousness and collapsed in the heat.

So before yesterday's race, on the 5K course at Great Meadow in The Plains, doubts crept into Wilson's head. Did she drink enough fluids to keep hydrated? Would the hot, hilly course break her once more?

The Potomac School junior faced her demons head on, rocketing past the horse jump and the creek and up a treacherous hill, and earned the victory in 18 minutes 6 seconds, a personal best.

"I had the determination to get revenge on this course," Wilson said after the race. "The win is just a bonus."

Megan Fitzpatrick led O'Connell to the girls' team title with 138 points. Ocean Lakes of Virginia Beach was second with 143 points and Osbourn Park was third with 149.

A fast-emerging Robinson team, led by third-place finisher Jared Berman, won the boys' team title with 104 points. Walter Johnson was second with 153 points, followed by Severna Park with 238.

Solomon Haile fought through stomach pain to win the boys' race in a staggering 15:10, the fastest time by an area runner this season. The Sherwood senior, who emigrated from Ethiopia last year, was already walking out of the finishing chute when he looked over his shoulder. The roar of the crowd as two runners battled for second place -- the best finish anyone could hope for in any race that Haile has entered this season -- caught his attention and he turned in time to see countryman and Edison senior Leoule Degfae outduel Berman for the runner-up spot. Degfae crossed in 15:42 and Berman was one second behind.

Despite the pain, "I wasn't going to give up," Haile said.

Joked Degfae, who left his homeland 10 years ago: "I should've stayed in Ethiopia longer. That guy is fast."

Wilson, meantime, came to Potomac School from England and splashed onto the cross-country scene last year, winning the Independent School League championship before finishing third at the state meet. This season, under the leadership of first-year coach Jennifer Bodine, Wilson continues to build on that success. Yesterday's victory was her fourth at a major invitational and she nearly claimed it in 18 minutes, a goal that Wilson had not been expecting to come close to until the end of the season.

"It's more than I could've hoped for," Wilson said.

Octoberfest Invitational Exception'al: Jewelry was not permitted at Octoberfest, but meet directors allowed Osbourn Park's runners to wear gold and red ribbons to promote cancer awareness. Sophomore Liliana Besosa donated 11 inches of her hair to Locks of Love, which provides hairpieces to children with cancer. Triple Threat: Mountain View's Kaitlyn Davis, who was third, won the girls' Triple Crown, which goes to the runner with the best combined performance from the Great Meadow, Oatlands and Octoberfest invitationals. Sherwood's Solomon Haile won the boys' trophy.