Brentsville has up and down day at State

By Robert Daski

Published: November 8, 2008

THE PLAINS — Little strength remained in his legs as Grant Burress approached the finish line.
But the Brentsville senior knew this was the final cross country race of his prep career.
That alone was motivation for him to make a final push and cross the finish line before passing out and being “dead. Completely dead.”
Not literally. Burress finished 12th (16:06) in Saturday’s Group AA boys’ race to record his first all-state honor.
“That’s the hardest I’ve ever run in my life,” Burress said. “I was running as hard as I could. I had nothing left.”
One year ago on this course, Burress and his teammates celebrated an improbable achievement when they won the state title despite having no runner finish better than 22nd.
No title came to Brentsville this year as the Tigers failed to finish in the top four at the Oct. 30 Region II meet, one that would have allowed them to qualify for Saturday’s state meet.
But two members from the 2007 team, Luke Watts and Andrew Johnson, attended Saturday’s meet to encourage Burress.
“I didn’t want to disappoint them,” Burress said.
With his finish in a race where winner Andrew Colley finished 15:02 to break Alan Webb’s course record, Burress held his own against a competitive field.
In addition to Colley, Jamestown placed two other runners in the top 10.
“This race as far as the individuals go is probably one of the strongest races I’ve seen,” Brentsville coach Rob Dulin said.
“For him to be in the top 15 is enormous.”
Burress’s finish was the highlight of Brentsville’s day. While Allison Bartels achieved all-state status with her 12th place finish (19:04), the Tigers placed fourth in the Group AA girls’ race.
The Tigers figured to be challenged with Blacksburg, Hidden Valley and Northwestern District rival Millbrook bringing in competitive squads.
Brentsville’s goal was to run in a tight pack, something Dulin felt his team did.
What the Tigers did not plan on was having only one top 15 finish. Senior Maggie Gentry finished 21st (19:29) followed by Morgan Price (27th, 19:42), Caitlin Hoffman (35th, 19:54) and Courtney McGowan (40th, 20:05).
The Tigers recorded 102 points, 55 behind winner Blacksburg.
“We had an off day,” Dulin said.
“It was definitely not what we hoped or envisioned. It’s tough.
“We felt we stood an outside shot of winning and we definitely felt we stood a very good shot of being in the top three. It’s tough when you pour a lot into it and you come up short.”