News Release Oct. 15, 2005
For more information contact:
Addison Hunt
301-320-3200
Landon Varsity Cross Country Invitational:
Washington Area Runners Compete
On the most beautiful October day yet, Jeffrey Perlis (Sidwell Friends) ran to an easy first place finish at the Landon Invitational, where ten area schools\' JV and Varsity boys and girls runners competed this past Saturday (10/15) on the five-kilometer course.
With a time of 16:13, Perlis beat second place runner Johns Ross (Potomac) 16:58 and third place Peter Dunbar (Episcopal High School) 17:04 without much trouble. Fourth place went to Joe Peterson of St. Andrews\' Episcopal, whose boys and girls Varsity teams won first place overall with 51 and 44 points, respectively. Episcopal\' boys Varsity team came in second (61) and Landon third (78). Of the girls\' teams, Holton-Arms finished second (50) and Episcopal third (61).
St. Andrews\' head cross country coach Mike Davila and Varsity coach David Brandt both said they expected a top three finish, but were pleasantly surprised by the number one spot for both of their Varsity teams. Their motto was: \"Be competitive, shadow and attack.\"
Davila added, \"The beautiful conditions and Landon\'s terrific course brought out the best in our runners. It was a good dress rehearsal for the IAC championship race.\"
Gary Wyatt, St. Andrews\' girls\' cross country coach, said that both the JV and Varsity girls were competing against Holton-Arms, because \"they beat us at Mercersburg.\" Obviously that strategy worked.
Although the fall invitational has traditionally been held at Georgetown Prep, this year it was cancelled due to construction, according to Landon Invitational meet director Addison Hunt. He is also Landon\'s JV and Varsity cross country coach.
There\'s an added reason to have the race at Landon, said Hunt, \"Since the championship race will be held here (October 29th), why not give the IAC and ISL a chance to run the course? Kind of a tune-up race.\"
As to the future of the Landon Invitational? \"We have a nice campus so why not? Besides our Middle School has long had an annual invitational, so why not have one at the Varsity level?\"