The Lord Botetourt and James River cross country teams will run in the annual Metro Cross Country Meet today in Blacksburg. Both teams are coming off strong efforts in big meets last Saturday.

Lord Botetourt ran in the “Runnin’ with the Wolves” cross country invitational in Forest. Four Botetourt runners earned medals with Connor Hayes taking 14th in the boys varsity race, Sofia Hernandez taking ninth in the girls varsity race, Kevin Buchanan taking 11th in the jayvee race and Sydney Vokus was fifth in the middle school race.

“I was very proud of the LB cross country team for their efforts in this race,” said coach Robert Sullivan.

In the varsity boys race LB was fifth overall as the Patriots Pacers Home School team won the team championship, followed by host Jefferson Forest, Clover Hill, Cave Spring and LB. Hayes led the Cavaliers, followed by Bryson Cook in 19th place, just missing a medal. Benny Ford was 31st, Maxwell Klimczak was 34th and Cameron Turney was 68th.

In the varsity girls race LB was sixth. Jefferson Forest finished first, followed by the Patriot Pacers, Clover Hill, Salem, Liberty Christian and LB.

After Hernandez’ ninth place finish Claire Seibel took 34th for the Cavaliers. Also scoring were Brooklyn Hornback in 42nd, Brielle Jackson in 45th and Balor Harold in 60h place.

The James River team ran in the MileStat.com XC Invitational at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville last Saturday. Will Miller ran in the top division against some very strong competition and finished 15th.

The rest of the Knights ran in the B race and finished eighth among 29 teams, with Jamestown finishing on top. William Fowler was 29th for River’s top finish and also scoring were Dalton Simmons in 41st, Camden Powell in 70th, Zack Hodges in 81st and Cole Miller in 87th place.