* Charlie Ortmans won the MileStat.com XC Invitational title last fall

Photo Credit: Mary Ann Magnant

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On the boys side, it will be an interesting race as the defending champion, Charlie Ortmans of The Potomac School (VA), will face a handful of competitors that he raced against at the Oatlands Invitational at the end of September.

Ortmans clocked a 15:19 5K personal best at that meet. 

But he's going to have to watch out. 

Berkley Nance of Mills Godwin (VA), the defending VHSL 5A state champion, could be one of his closest competitors. Nance has already faced Ortmans at Oatlands and the junior finished second as he crossed the finish line with a 15:28 personal best. 

Right behind Nance was Pierre Attiogbe of St. Albans (Washington D.C). Despite finishing third at Oatlands with a 15:37, a couple of days ago he clocked his fastest 5K in his career at the Maryland XC Invitational with a 15:02. 

Conner Rutherford of Blacksburg (VA), Owen Shifflett of Western Albemarle (VA) and Nathan Atchue of Franklin County (VA) are others who will be in the mix.

With this loaded field, it looks that it might take a sub-15-minute race to be the champion of the elite boys race.