Lake Braddock's Chase Wins State Championship

With a mile to go in the Virginia AAA State Championship girls' race, Junior Sophie Chase was right where she wanted to be.  Chase had one more push to shake the last competitor in her pursuit of the title.

As she approached the stair step hills that lead into the third mile of the course at Great Meadow, Chase charged, gradually drawing away from her competition. By the time she reached the final straightaway, her lead had grown substantially. 

Smiling a little as she crossed the finish for her first Cross Country State Championship, she was then greeted with a surprise. She'd broken the course record, too, running the three miles in 17:33, a 5:39 pace.   

Lake Braddock coach Mike Mangan said Chase's win capped a strong season in which she won three invitationals, along with Patriot District and Northern Region titles.

Chase competes November 26 at the Footlocker South Regional Championships in Charlotte, NC, where she will vie for a return to the National Championships.

In addition to Chase, three other Lake Braddock students raced at the state championships. Junior Nick Tuck finished 6th overall to earn first team all state honors. Sophomore Hannah Christen also earned all state honors with her 12th place finish.  Senior Nick Farrell capped an outstanding senior season with a gutsy race.