Fauquier's Armstrong wins Cedar Run boys cross country title
By Peter Brewington
Talbot Armstrong started way back in the pack. After 200 meters, he was almost last.
Over the rest of the race, there was no one faster.
The Fauquier High senior captured the Cedar Run District boys cross country title last week at Culpeper, winning in 16:45.
While Armstrong's initial sluggishness concerned coach Quentin Jones, nothing about the rest of his race was a problem. Armstrong grabbed the lead around the second mile, according to Jones, and won relatively comfortably by five seconds.
“In some ways, this is an upset. We really weren't sure where Talbot would fall,” said Jones, who noted Armstrong has been solid in most meets, but much was unknown about the other runners.
Armstrong ran with a posse of Osbourn Park runners, a factor that probably motivated him.
“Sometimes that gives you a warrior mindset, where you have these other guys from one team trying to break you down,” said Jones.
Also shining for the Falcons were Casey Grimes (17:30) and Roy Gilb (17:31), who were 10th and 11th respectively.
The FHS boys were third (83 points), and the Falcon girls fourth (99); both advanced to Thursday's Northwest region meet at Panorama Farms in Charlottesville.
Liberty was fifth in both events, and did not advance as a team, although Robert Ashby and Jason Lloyd advanced as individuals.
Fauquier's top girls were Emma Helsel, who was eighth in 20:37, and Talbot Armstrong's sister Lauren, who was 12th in 20:51.
Battlefield (boys) and Osbourn Park (girls) were team champions.
Talbot Armstrong will be tested at the region meet. To make the state meet, Armstrong must be make the Top 15 and probably run a time of 16:30.
“He is clicking on all cylinders, but he will have people pushing him in this race,” said Jones.