Beach finishes 11th, headed to state

By Robert Daski

Published: October 30, 2008

EARLYSVILLE — The sweat dripped from Kyle Beach’s hair as he sat on the ground following Thursday’s Northwest Region boys’ race.
The Battlefield sophomore was slowly catching his breath before rising to his feet and grabbing a cell phone.
On the other end was his father, who congratulated him on his 11th place finish, one that sends Beach to the Group AAA state meet for the first time and one of two all-region finishes that helps send Battlefield to the state meet for the first time.
“I had a goal and I accomplished that goal,” Beach said. “That was what all that work was for during the season.”
Beach’s run along with those of Matt Shaughnessy (12th, 16:51), Garrick Clemente (18th, 17:00) and Darren Driscoll (22nd, 17:10) helped the Bobcats record 94 points and tie Colonial Forge for third place.
The top four teams are awarded berths in the state meet.
“Everybody’s excited,” Battlefield coach Joe Huddle said. “It’s taken a few years to get there, but that’s been everybody’s goal since they started running. I couldn’t be any happier.”
Qualifying for the Nov. 8 meet continues Battlefield’s rise after its district title last week. The Bobcats took a step forward in 2007 by winning their first Cedar Run title.
But their postseason run ended when not one runner placed in the region’s top 15. 
So Beach used the anger he took from his 25th place finish as motivation for this year’s race.
“I didn’t want to have it be like last year,” Beach said.
The experience of running at Panoroma Farms at the Oct. 11 Albmarle Invitational also helped. Battlefield placed fourth that day behind Driscoll’s 24th place finish and Beach’s 30th in a race that featured 276 runners.
“That was the key to the success,” Huddle said. 
Another key was the Bobcats’ ability to work together and focus during practice.
“It’s a group that has a lot of camaraderie and likes each other,” Huddle said.
“They practice hard everyday. They’re good friends.”
Osbourn Park’s Nolan Compton was the top local finisher. He placed seventh in 16:33.
Mountain View’s Thomas Porter won the race in 15:56. His finish helped Mountain View record 53 points to win the boys’ title.
BRENTSVILLE IS SIXTH
Brentsville’s boys’ cross country team finished sixth at the Region II championships on Thursday.
The Tigers, led by a seventh place finish from Grant Burress (16:37), totaled 65 points.
Zach Morrow finished 25th (17:28) for the Tigers.
SETON SECOND
Seton School finished second at the Delaney Athletic Conference meet on Thursday 36 points. Quantico finished behind Seton with 38 points.
Seton’s Clement O’Reilly was second in 18:06, followed by teammate Frank Spicer in third (18:26).
Michael Arnold was 13th for Seton.