Sullivan Breaks 18-Minute Mark, Takes Fourth to Medal

Sullivan Breaks 18-Minute Mark, Takes Fourth to Medal George Mason High School cross country team head coach Julie Bravin has looked for improvement throughout the course of this season, and during the team’s Oct. 13 meet at the Glory Days Grill Invitational, Bravin saw that improvement pay off in a big way.

Nearly every Mustang runner turned in a personal best time at the Glory Days event, held at Bull Run Regional Park. Leading the effort was senior Susanna Sullivan, whose time of 17:58 bettered her career best by nearly a full minute.

The time placed Sullivan fourth overall in the Seeded Varsity Girls field, just nine second off of race winner Kristen Wolfe of James River.

“Susanna’s race at Glory Days was the best I’ve seen her run all year. She looked comfortable and strong. She ran a well-paced race and went after the leaders,” Bravin said.
Freshman Mollie Breen and sophomore Courtney Ready placed 120th and 134th respectively, with times of 21:08 and 21:29.

Eva Estrada (fifth) and Natalie Young (ninth) joined Sullivan as medal recipients, placing in the top 15 of the JV Girls division.

The boys team, competing in the Varsity B division, was paced by junior Daniel Benn, whose time of 17:44 put him in 69th place.

Bravin was thrilled with the widespread improvement, a development that has her optimistic as the team begins its postseason competition on Oct. 24 at the Bull Run District Meet.
“The whole group’s hard work is absolutely paying off,” Bravin said. “This is one of the best seasons we’ve ever had.”