SALEM, Va. – Yes, Virginia, the Lebanon boys cross country team can win in the VHSL Class 2 ranks.
One year after winning the Class 1 team crown, the Pioneers captured the Class 2 title Saturday at Green Hill Park.
“We had a lot of doubters today, and my kids liked that,” Lebanon coach Travis Hooker said. “Back-to-back state championships, that’s pretty cool.”
Setting the pace from start to finish, smooth Lebanon senior Derek Mitchell made a strong statement by taking individual honors in a meet record time of 15:39.1. Mitchell also won the Class 1 crown last year.
“This is incredible,” Mitchell said. “I’ve had this day in my mind so much that it almost began to worry me, but I knew we would prevail in the end.”
Mitchell took no chances. Following his strong start, Mitchell powered away from the field just before the first mile.