Previewing the 2021 ODAC Cross Country Championships

Oct 29, 2021

BRIDGEWATER, Va. --- Bridgewater College is the host venue for the return of the ODAC Cross Country Championships on Saturday, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature with inclement weather impacting the course and greeting the conference's runners in the first cross country postseason event in two years.

ODAC runners will be competing on a custom layout on Bridgewater's campus featuring relatively flat terrain. Runners will complete multiple loops of the course beginning with the men's eight-kilometer race at 11:00 a.m. ET followed by the women's six-kilometer competition at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Timing will be provided by Blue Ridge Timing and posted to the results site at several intervals throughout the race as well as at the conclusion of each competition.

Washington and Lee University enters the weekend having won five straight men's and women's titles dating back to the 2015 season. The challenge for the Generals to add to those streaks will be considerable on both sides of the ledger.

In the women's ranks, Lynchburg is currently the 32nd-ranked team in NCAA Division III by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Hornets are slotted second in the region, a position they have held for most of the season. Washington and Lee, which started the year at #2, is currently ranked third. Shenandoah University has been in and out of the regional picture, with SU currently occupying the ninth position. Bridgewater and Eastern Mennonite University have also appeared in the 2021 regional rankings although both are currently unranked.

Even though we are two years removed from the last conference championship, there are still runners that earned All-ODAC status (top-14) looking to add to their awards mantle. That includes Lynchburg's Stephanie Burnett, who finished fourth in 2019 to earn All-ODAC First Team laurels. She enters with the top 6K time in the 2021 field. W&L's Avery Schiffman (9th in 2019) and Nina Gallagher (14th) were also all-league finishers, while teammate Carolyn Todd (15th) narrowly missed out on all-conference honors her first season.

Several athletes, both new and veteran, have had strong seasons with an eye on high placements. In addition to Burnett, Lynchburg's Kelsey Lagunas and Allison Dell own the top-three 6K times in the ODAC this season. Dell and teammate Sarah James are the top first-year runners on that list. Schiffman and Todd will have plenty of help in the Generals quest for another crown with Parker Hawk, Elise Molinaro, and Mimi Kemp showing well at various events this year.

There are several additional athletes to keep eyes on this weekend. Roanoke features a pair of top runners in Hannah Koepfinger and Lauren Brown. Erin Atkinson leads a strong crew at Shenandoah. Emily Smeds has had a good first season leading Bridgewater's rotation, while Allison Shelly keeps the pace high for Eastern Menonite's program.

Lynchburg has had a banner men's season with the Hornets currently ranked 15th in the country by the USTFCCCA. They are #2 in the region, a position they've held since week two. Washington and Lee has also featured well in the region, beginning the year at #2 before a bit of a fluctuation that ultimately has the Generals opening ODAC weekend slotted third. They are currently receiving votes towards the national top-35. Roanoke also appeared in the regional framework early in the year.

Individually, the ODAC top-14 could be dominated by Lynchburg and Washington and Lee colors. The Hornets' Max Sparks and Frank Csorba have been dynamite with Sam Llaneza not far behind. Sparks, who won the 2019 ODAC individual medal, set a new program record for 8K courses on the upcoming NCAA championship course in Louisville, Ky., earlier this season. Csorba won in a strong field at the Rowan Inter-Regional Border Battle a few weeks ago. Keep an eye on Connor McCroy and Brennan Straits, that latter of whom earned all-league honors (12th) in 2019.

Washington and Lee's contingent is led by All-ODAC returner Drew Woodfolk (5th). Josh Fingerhut, Hayden Roberts, and Jackson Jacobs are all second-year runners getting their first ODAC championships experience. Each has a good chance to factor in the All-ODAC picture. The same can be said for Roanoke's duo of Peter Smith and Chamberlain Zulauf. Smith was 14th to earn the last second-team spot in 2019, while Zulauf finished just outside the awards rankings in 15th.

Those looking to attend the ODAC Cross Country Championships should prepare for inclement weather. Rain that fell overnight Thursday into Friday will impact competition, especially with more predicted on Saturday. In addition to umbrellas, ponchos, and rain boots, be sure to head to the ODAC's exclusive ticketing partner Ticket Spicket to get your entry pass to the championships. Admission is $10 per car.

For more information on ODAC cross country and the 2021 championships, visit the websites of any of the participating schools. You can also visit the home of the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com and view the ODAC cross country championship website as well as the host site by Bridgewater College. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram!