Chase Comes in 38th at National Cross Country Meet

Sophie Chase of Lake Braddock capped a phenomenal cross-country season, in which she won the Patriot District and Northern Region individual titles, and came in second at the state meet, with a 38th-place finish in the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Saturday.

Chase's time of 18 minutes, 53 seconds was her slowest of the season.

"My race didn't go as well as I wanted it to," said Chase, a sophomore. "I wasn't really prepared and didn't know what to expect."

Chase said she felt she had to take a chance, so she broke out early, pushing her pedal to the floor. Ultimately, she said, it was a mistake.

"I went out very hard," Chase said. "I should have held back a little bit."

Chase also said the extremely hilly course was unlike anything she has run in her time as a cross-country runner in Virginia.

"I can't even compare it to Burke Lake," where most of the Northern Region meets are held, Chase said. "It's a very difficult course. You have to run uphill twice. [Friday] we just walked up it, but it's so different when you're actually running in the race."

Of the 40 girls in the race, Chase was one of eight that were sophomores or freshmen. She plans on using her experience this year as motivation for the future.

"I learned about how to race smarter, and also not to give up on myself," Chase said. "I really don't have that much experience. By the time I'm a senior, I'll be able to work my way up there.

"It's still a really great experience. You can't even describe what it's like, you have to be here to be a part of this."

Chase will return home and take some time off before getting into the indoor track and swimming seasons. Chase has already qualified for the state meet in the 100-meter breaststroke, and she's a favorite in the 1600- and 3200-meter indoor track races.

The only question is, does she have time for her friends and homework?

"I try to use every valuable moment of the week to have a social life," Chase said, laughing.