The Western Albemarle boys cross country team finished one of the best seasons in Central Virginia high school history on Saturday with a top-five finish in the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon.
The Warriors finished fifth in a field filled with the nation’s best high school cross country teams. Led by individual champion Nico Young (14:52.3), Newbury Park (California) won the national team title.
Senior Joe Hawkes was Western Albemarle’s top finisher, placing 41st after completing the historic Glendoveer Golf Course in 15:45.5. Hawkes, who won the 2018 VHSL Class 3 individual state championship, averaged 5:04.0 per mile during Saturday’s race.
Jack Eliason, the 2019 VHSL Class 3 individual state champion, was 51st in 15:51.0 for the Warriors. Stuart Terrill placed 84th in 16:09.3, while Will Bonner (16:26.7) was 113th. Joseph Taylor rounded out the Warriors’ top five runners with a 127th-place finish in 16:34.3. Thomas Kallen earned a 132nd-place finish in 16:36.0 and Owen Shifflett was 192nd in 17:17.0.