As spring sports started this year, there was one winter sport that was still competing in both states and nationals. The indoor track team, after winning the conference and regional championships for both girls and boys, was scheduled to compete at the state meet on Feb. 27 and 28. However, the snow that cancelled school in Fairfax County also delayed the state competition.

Snow eventually pushed back the meet until March 9 and 10, a full week and a half after the original date. The snow made preparing for the state meet difficult, as running outside was nearly impossible. However, the snow didn’t stop many from attending the meet, and the runners there felt their presence.

“States was a fun meet to run at because of the team,” junior Ben Fogg said. “The people that came gave so much support it was so nice.”

Fogg finished third in the 1000 meters and helped the Bruins get third in the 4×800 meter relay, finishing all-state in both events. Senior Alex Corbett was the state champion in the two-mile and the runner-up in the mile, scoring 18 points for LB. However, that wasn’t enough for the team, as they finished fourth place at the meet.

On the girls’ side, sophomore Kate Murphy won both the mile and the two-mile for LB, while other standout performances ended up placing the team at fifth overall.

“Running events at states was extremely awesome because it was my first time for indoor states,” Murphy said. “Winning to me was a blessing because indoor season wasn’t as planned training wise due to all of the snow days.”

The following weekend, March 13 and 14, a handful of the track runners went to New Balance Nationals to compete against some of the best high school runners in the country. This meet was run at the fastest 200 meter track in the country and also one of the most prestigious. The Armory, in New York City, also hosts the U.S. Indoor Track & Field Championships.

“It was humbling to run at nationals,” Fogg said. “There are so many fast people there that you go from being the fastest to being just another guy.”

The top five in each event at nationals are All-Americans, a title given to the best in the nation, and Lake Braddock had five runners earn that illustrious distinction. Competing in the two-mile, Murphy was able to place second among the best runners in the country, earning herself All-American status. The boys’ four-mile relay finished fifth, running a time of 17:50 for four miles. That team included juniors Colin Schaefer and Fogg and seniors Kevin Monogue and Corbett.

“It was cool to be All-American because I realized that our four-mile was the fifth best team in the entire nation,” Schaefer said.

Of course, the excitement of Nationals did not take the focus away from the training that the runners go through to get back and to get better for next year.

“I think it’s exciting, but at the same time I’m not satisfied,” Murphy said. “It was a great end to my indoor season, but looking forward into outdoor I hope to beat my times, be more competitive and try to challenge the girls that are faster than me.”