Lake Braddock's Girls Finish Fifth, Chase Runner-Up At State Cross Country Meet

The Lake Braddock boys and girls cross-country teams put up a good fight both collectively and individually at the 2010 VHSL AAAs cross-country meet on Saturday. The girls team finished in fifth place with 160 points.

Bruins' Northern Region champion sophomore Sophie Chase finished in second place right behind the individual girls state champion Hannah Lowry of Stafford High School.  Chase finished one spot ahead of her third place finish from last year's state meet.

"Sophie Chase ran faster than any girl that I know of at Lake Braddock in our long history," said Bruin Coach Mike Mangan following the race. "To miss the state title by as little as she did I know is heartbreaking, but still a phenomenal race by her to say the least."

On the boys side, Sam Rubenking finished in fifth place which is the highest finish by a male runner in a state meet for Lake Braddock, just edging out Bruins assistant coach Steve Hoogland who finished sixth back in 2003.

Rubenking's fellow Patriot District runner Akmed Bile of Annandale High School finished first to become to 2010 boys cross-country individual state champion.

"Team wise we're a little disappointed but you know we can't win every single one," said Mangan. "Last year they were the state champions on the girls side and the boys were fourth, this year fifth on the girls side. I'm really proud of them they did a great job."

Rubenking and Chase will now focus on preparing for the "Footlocker South Regional" cross-country championships two weeks from today in Charlotte, N.C.  The south regional meet features the top runners from the southeastern region of the United States, with the winners moving on to San Diego to compete with the top-40 high school runners in the country.

Mangan and the Bruins' runners get a day of rest tomorrow before the indoor track season begins on Monday November 15th.