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PARKTON, Md. — David Wilson shocked everyone, including himself, by turning in Washington County’s top performance Saturday at the Maryland State Cross Country Championships on Hereford High School’s hilly 3-mile course.

“I’m exhilarated,” said the Smithsburg junior, who finished second (17:11) to South Carroll’s Jake Zamostny (16:58) in the Class 1A boys race. “I almost felt like I was dreaming.”

The Williamsport boys must have felt like they were having a nightmare.

Wildcats senior Michael Lilley, the prerace favorite in 1A, finished a disappointing third in 17:30.

And Lilley’s team, trying to win Williamsport its first boys team title since 1975, also finished third with 98 points — just seven points behind champion Bohemia Manor.

“I don’t know, it’s just a hard sport,” Williamsport coach Randy Buchman said. “It’s so hard to win — to have a day when everything comes together just right.

“It’s the best shot we’ve had in years. But I guess it’s better to have a shot than to just come down here and compete without one. But it sure makes it hurt worse.”

While Williamsport’s Naseem Haje held his own by placing fourth (17:33), the race for.... READ MORE