Several from area gain all-state cross country honors

THE PLAINS -- Lindsi Arrington counted the runners in front of her.

That was her strategy as the Gar-Field senior ran toward the finish line of the Group AAA girls' race.

A finish of at least 15th would make Arrington all-state, a feeling she had not experienced during her prep career. A Cardinal District title and two all-region finishes were all she had to show for her postseason efforts.

"I was thinking if I'm not all-state now, I'm going to be all-state at all in my high school career," Arrington said.

With that in mind and knowing her coach Jeff Custer was celebrating his 45th birthday, she charged past the finish line in 14th (18:55), allowing her to stand with 14 other runners at the awards ceremony and be presented a certificate and medal.

"I'm pretty excited," Arrington said. "When I came out, I just wanted to be all-state and I'm very thankful for that, very excited."

Her support system consisted of more than just Custer. Gar-Field activities director Rudy Zimmermann, principal William Bixby and teammate Theresa Tweedie watched Arrington add another accomplishment to her postseason awards case.

"Their support definitely pushed me," Arrington said.

Cardinal District champion and third place Northwest Region finisher Ariel Karabinus of Osbourn Park pushed herself to eighth, a finish which left her knowing she could have placed higher.

"I just gave it my all and it wasn't enough," Karabinus said.

Her finish was her team's best as Osbourn Park, having won district and regional titles this postseason, tallied 165 points to finish sixth in the team standings.

Ashley Wybersky and Natalie Geleta helped the Yellow Jackets by finishing 20th (19:14) and 31st (19:39), respectively.

"We did all right," Karabinus said after posting a time of 18:45. "We had high goals for ourselves and we didn't accomplish them. But what can you do? All you can ask is for everyone to give it their all."

On a day when the sun briefly emerged after being covered in clouds, the Great Meadow course remained covered in mud thanks to the rainfall of the past three days.

The course was expected to be open for practice on Friday, but was canceled.

Runners crossed the finish line on Saturday with specks of mud on their legs and parts of their upper bodies.

It did not seem to bother Morgan Price or Allison Bartels, however, after their 17th and 22nd place finishes helped Brentsville get 126 points to finish fifth in the Group AA girls' race.

"I didn't think it was so bad," Price said after running the course at 19:43.

Price and Bartels did not sulk over their race. They stood at the awards ceremony with smiles on their faces while holding a red rose, which each of Brentsville's female runners received from their supporters.

"I'm so proud of my team," Bartels said; she finished at 19:56. "I love them all dearly. We've gotten so close and they've worked so hard."

A 49th gave Corey Scott Brentsville's best finish in the Group AA boys' race. The Tigers, though, were 10th in the team standings with 265 points.

With Osbourn Park and Brentsville having established themselves as district and regional powerhouses, Manassas Park is trying to reach that status.

Nathan Thatcher's 20th place finish (17:45) in the Group A boys' race is a sign of progress.

"It's definitely a step forward," Thatcher said. "Our team's gotten faster."

Thatcher, though, will not be at Manassas Park next year. He will graduate in the spring, but will leave knowing a solid foundation is in place for 2010.

"I wish I could have gotten top 15," Thatcher said. "We had a pretty good season and we have a lot of runners coming back next year."

Staff writer Robert Daski can be reached at 703-878-8049.