2025 State Champion Series: Bethesda-Chevy Chase - 4A Girls

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase girls cross country team enters 2026 with something few programs get the chance to experience: the opportunity to chase a third consecutive state championship. After winning its second straight title in 2025, B-CC returns a large portion of last year's championship roster, while bringing along a new group of freshmen and newcomers ready to contribute to the storied program.

For coaches Jim Hage and Gildon Kirk, the formula goes beyond championship results. The Barons have built a culture around loving the sport, enjoying their teammates, and carrying forward the traditions that have made the program successful. Now, with another championship season ahead, B-CC hopes to sweep the County, Region and State titles.

Coach Questions - Answered by Coach Gildon Kirk

1. Looking back now, what does that championship mean to you and your program?

Coach Kirk: It's amazing to win our second in a row. It shows us that we are on the right track. Positive culture leads to love for the sport, which leads to success.

2. Was there a race, workout, or turning point when you realized your team had the potential to accomplish something special?

Coach Kirk: We knew that we would have a chance at winning states from the very beginning of the season, since we had so many returners from the year before. When it really felt real was when we were able to win the Montgomery County Championship. That said, everything is speculative until championship season.

3. As you turn the page to 2026, what excites you most about this year's team?

Coach Kirk: We are really excited by all of our returners from our state team last year, but also by all of the freshmen and new faces we have this year. We hope to have another year of a team that enjoys running together.

4. Who are some athletes that you expect to take on bigger roles this fall?

Coach Kirk: We need all of our juniors and sophomores to step up and help the seniors lead the team both in races and in building culture. Two girls from our state team last year who can help us a lot are junior Mariana Song and sophomore Allie Hage. 

5. What goals have you and your team set for this season, and are there any invitationals or championship meets you're especially looking forward to?

Coach Kirk: We would like to compete for winning MDXC, and sweeping out county, region, and state championship meets.

6. What do you hope this year's team is remembered for when the season is over?

Coach Kirk: I hope the students on the team remember their teammates, the traditions, and the enjoyment they had coming to practice every day.

7. How long have you been coaching? How did you get your start?

Coach Kirk: This is my 13th year coaching and sixth year coaching cross country. I ran track and field (I specialized in triple jump and long jump) at B-CC. I then came back and was an assistant coach for Chad Young, who coached me in High School. Chad had created all of these amazing traditions at B-CC in both cross country and track and field. He moved to Gaithersburg, and I jumped on the opportunity to head coach the whole running/track and field program at B-CC. I took it as a challenge to learn how to coach distance running (which had previously never been my specialty). 

8. What's one of your favorite memories from your coaching career that still makes you smile?

Coach Kirk: I love all of our traditions: the Blue vs. Gold scrimmage every year before school starts; our captains' group competitions; our team outings. It brings me great joy to see the students enjoying their time together.

9. If someone spent one practice with your team, what's something they'd quickly learn about your program's culture?

Coach Kirk: We love the sport and we love each other.

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