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In preparation for Saturday's duel at Gaithersburg High for the Montgomery County cross country championship, the county's best runners and squads are now in full stride and preparing for bragging rights.
The 5,000-meter, mostly grass course favors strong sprinters, as the course — unlike what awaits at the state meet at Hereford — has only one incline and is mostly flat.
Perhaps the most anticipated matchup will be between Wootton senior Jessie Rubin and Walter Johnson junior Anna Bosse, the reigning Gazette Runner of the Year.
Their first race of the season against each other was this past weekend at the Georgetown Prep Classic, though less-than-stellar conditions made it more a wade through mud than a cross country run.
Rubin, who lost her shoe about a half-mile in, recovered to win the race by a single second over Bosse, after much jostling and trading places throughout the race. Saturday will probably be no different.
Walter Johnson and Northwest enter as the two team favorites on the girls' side. The Wildcats returned all seven of their varsity runners from last season and their only loss in dual meet competition was at the Jaguars' hands.
Northwest, meanwhile, is again the cream of the crop in the county, locking down the Division I crown with a 5-0 dual meet mark. Coach Beth Muehl boasts some of Montgomery County's top runners, notably Alyssa Henshaw — who will look to challenge Bosse and Rubin for individual honors — and Britt Eckstrom.
Another surprise has been the Clarksburg Coyotes, whose freshman sensation Abbey Daley has been among the best runners in the county all season and will undoubtedly be the favorite for top freshman at the meet. Clarksburg finished the season undefeated in dual meets and should be in the mix for teams honors.
Wootton is also undefeated in county competition and, led by Rubin, will look to challenge the traditional powers. It will need strong showings from both Andrea Maxwell and Amy Levine to contend with the Wildcats and Jaguars.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the season has been the success of Northwood, undefeated on both the boys and girls sides. The Gladiators' strength comes from not individual runners, but packing the varsity seven in tight and scoring in bunches, something that can work to its advantage in a large championship meet.
Wildcats running wild
On the boys side, Walter Johnson's star-studded varsity seven make it the favorite to take top honors in the county. Sean O'Leary and Alex Willett have picked up exactly where they left off last year, and both seek individual crowns as well.
Standing in their way is county favorite Andrew Palmer of Whitman, who has consistently posted the top times this season. His biggest threat may come from Jackson Reams, a pleasant surprise who has taken over the mantle of Sherwood's top runner from all-everything Solomon Haile.
Richard Montgomery enters the meet unblemished in the county and will look to contend with the mighty Wildcats. The Rockets' strength is also keeping its varsity seven close to each other; its top runners are Sam Martin, James McNamara and Jeremy Batt.
As far as darkhorses, look no further than Poolesville. Not given any respect entering the season, all it has done is take the Division IV crown with and undefeated 6-0 record. Eric Holmstead is the Falcons' best runner and will be in the mix for individual awards.
Damascus has looked stronger as well after a sluggish start to its season; it won the unseeded race at Georgetown Prep by packing its top five runners within one minute of each other, something it will hope to replicate Saturday.
"It's not bragging, but if we're on point we should be in the mix," said head coach Robert Youngblood.
Nick Simpson of Einstein is the favorite to take top freshman honors, while the 4-1 Titans are another dangerous team lurking, waiting for their opportunity.
Nicolas Escobar, a senior from Magruder, has had a disappointing season so far after high preseason expectations, but can erase all of that with a strong showing Saturday.