Bethesda, MD. (November 15, 2007). The Battle of the Potomac Cross Country (XC) Championships is set. Th"e Battle of the Potomac XC event is the only time that boys and girls who go head-to-head during the regular in-state seasons can unite and race in a relaxed and friendly competition against rival runners across the Potomac River", commented Dave Watt, Executive Director of the host American Running Association. "This is the first time that many in-state and cross-river rivals have ever raced in cross country competition. On November 17, Smokey Glen Farm will be the fields of XC glory for the high school runners divided by the Potomac River", added Watt.
Team Maryland Runners (sample of entries)
Nick Bax: the defending Battle of the Potomac champion; 2006 First Team All-Met;
nationally ranked cyclist and top rower as a senior at St Albans in Washington DC,
resides in Bethesda MD. Recently defended his IAC league championship;
shared with teammate Brian Rooney. Verbally committed to row crew at Princeton.
Andrew Palmer: MD 4A Champion; Top 15 finisher at the inaugural Battle of the Potomac; went on to win the Freshman Division at the Northeast Footlocker Regional Championship one week later; won the outdoor Freshman mile at Nike Outdoor Nationals in June 2006; runner-up at both the Montgomery County Championship and the MD 4A West Regional
Kristen Malloy: defending girls Battle of the Potomac Champion; All-Baltimore runner in 2006; 2007 MD 3A state champion
Kyle Andrews: MD 2A state champion Boys
Ryan Bowser: MD 1A state champion back-to-back: 2006 and 2007; also played high school soccer this fall
Katie Harman: MD 2A state champion Girls
Morgane Gay: one of top DC Metro girl runners 2007; runner-up finish at MD 4A West Regional; 5th at MD 4A State Championships
JuaShaunna Kelly: Top girl runner in the District of Columbia; leads Roosevelt HS; 8th place at Georgetown Prep Classic; 1st place in DCIAA
Kyle Short: top runner at BCC; 3rd at MD 3A West Regional; member of state 3A State Championship (first at BCC since 1973)
Team Virginia runners (a sample)
Brian Rooney: #2 runner on a tough St Albans boys team; shared IAC title with Nick Bax this fall 2007
Doug Fenstermacher: Eastern Region AAA Champion (Gloucester HS); 12th in the VA AAA state championships
Elizabeth Heath: Battle of the Potomac runner-up in 2006; 2nd team All-Met in 2006; 16th in the VA AAA state race; 3rd place at Northern Region (VA) Championships
Presley Parkes: Region II Champion; 5th at AA VA State Championship;
Sullivan Parkes: 4th in Region II Championship; 6th at AA VA State Championship
Alex Watt: 15th at Inaugural Battle of the Potomac;4th place at Northern Region (VA) Championships; 22nd at VA AAA championships
Lauren Shaw: Liberty District Champion 2007; 9th place at Northern Region (VA) Championships; 30th at VA AAA state championships
Morgan Price: top freshman girl in Region II; 16th in VA AA State Championship
Daniel Tobin: 17th in Northern Region; Top 10 Patriot District VA
Brad Kenimer: Monroe Parker and Oatlands Invitational Champion; Patriot District Champion; 3rd at the Northern Region Championships AAA; 53rd at VA State AAA championships (fighting flu)
Competition for the "Potomac Cup" involves the top 20 finishers for each state squad. The boys and girls scores will be added to determine the "battle victor". Producer and host of the Battle of the Potomac is The American Running Association.