Lake Braddock Dominates Cross Country Relays

The second annual Braddock Cross Country Relays drew 27 high school teams and more than 1,500 high school athletes Saturday for a 1.5 mile course on the campus of Lake Braddock Secondary School.

Elementary and middle school runners along with parents also got their chance to race, bringing the total number of competitors to more than 2,000. 

In the boys competition, Lake Braddock used depth to win the team title over West Potomac and Good Counsel. In the A relay, the Lake Braddock team of Alex Corbett, Ben Fogg, Nick Tuck, Forest Isenhour and JJ Pitrelli claimed the win. Senior Nick Tuck (Lake Braddock) made a strong push on the third leg to take the lead for good. Tuck's time of 7:13 for the 1.5 mile distance was a course record    

For the girls, West Potomac, Colonial Forge and Lake Braddock dueled on all three scoring relays. All three teams were tied going into the A relays under the lights.

Lake Braddock junior Katie Roche led at the first handoff with a group packed up behind her. Newcomer Katy Kunc kept the Bruins in the lead and handed to Junior Annie Johnson for the third leg. All-American Hannah Christen quickly established herself on the fourth leg for the Bruins as they pulled away. Fellow All American Sophie Chase anchored for Lake Braddock. Chase's time of 8:14 tied the course record as the Bruins broke the relay record by almost a minute. 

Chase, Christen and Roche had the three fastest times of the evening.

Colonial Forge from Stafford finished second and West Potomac finished third.

Michael Mangan reported this story.