The Mathews High School girls’ cross country team earned its most impressive victory of the season last Wednesday, knocking off the defending regional champions from Middlesex and a strong Washington and Lee squad at a meet in Saluda.

Emily Brown (first overall, 22:16), Nancy Barnhardt (second, 22:17), and Rachel Corrigan (third, 22:18) stunned Middlesex fans by sweeping the top three spots despite a solid performance from the Lady Chargers. Middlesex runners took fourth, fifth and seventh places, but Kate van Emmerik (24:09) and Katie Phillips (24:28) took ninth and 10th to eliminate a potential Charger rally. Stephanie Jeffers (12th, 26:16) and Leeann Southworth (13th, 26:17) rounded out the top seven for the Lady Devils.

The boys’ cross country team also had a solid outing, defeating Washington and Lee and Middlesex. Chris Barnhardt led the Devils to victory, placing second in 18:04. After W&L and Middlesex runners took third and fourth, Jamie van Emmerik (18:2...