West Virginia 2013 Cross Country Preview: Matthew Brafford

This is the 1st in a series of previews on West Virginia High School boys’ and girls’ cross country for the 2013 cross country season.

Matthew Brafford (front right) - Photo by Lance McDaniel

Athlete: Matthew Brafford

Year: Senior

School: George Washington HS (Class of 2014)

Location: Charleston, WV

Class: AAA Boys

Pre-Season Rank: West Virginia #1

Coach: Nick Bias

 

Personal Bests:

1,600 Meter Run - 4:23.12

3,200 Meter Run - 9:17.98

5,000 Meter Run - 15:07.52

 

Athletic Honors:

2013 WV Track & Field All-State First Team in 3200M & 1600M

2012 WV Cross Country All-State First Team - 2nd Place - time 15:42

2011 WV Cross Country All-State First Team - 8th Place - time 16:31

 

Matthew Brafford, a senior at GeorgeWashington High school, is the pre-season WV#1 ranked runner. He had an outstanding junior year in cross country and track. In cross country, Matthew ran 15:42 in the 5,000 meter run at the West Virginia State Cross Country Championships, placing second in the AAA Boys Race; Ran a PR of 15:38 at Foot Locker South Regional, placing first in the Junior Boys Race; Ran 16:05 at the AAU National Championships, placing first in the Young Men’s High School Division. In track, Matthew ran a 9:21.71 in the 3,200 Meter Run (placing second) and 4:24.73 in the 1,600 Meter Run (placing fourth) at West Virginia State Track & Field Championships. At New Balance Outdoor Nationals, Matthew ran a PR of 15:07 in the 5,000 Meter Run (placing 25th) and a PR of 9:32 in the Two Mile Run (placing 14th). Brafford’s goal is to be nationally ranked and to be the sixth West Virginia male to qualify for Foot Locker Nationals at Balboa Park in San Diego, CA.

 

Here are the career progressions of Matthew in the 1600 meter run, 3200 meter run, and 5000 meter run

Matthew Brafford 1600m Career Graph

Matthew Brafford 3200m Career Graph

Matthew Brafford 5000m Career Graph

 

Brafford’s 2013 Cross Country Schedule:

Aug. 24 - Saturday Night Lights VIII - Centerville, OH

Sept. 7 - Chick-Fil-A Invitational - Mineral Wells, WV

Sept. 14 - Trinity/Valkryie Invitational - Louisville, KY

Sept. 21 - Rio Grande Invitational - Rio Grande, OH

Sept. 26 - George Washington Invitational - Tornado, WV

Oct. 5 - Great American XC Festival - Cary, NC

Oct. 16 - MSAC  Championships - Ripley, WV

Oct. 24 – WVSSAC Region 3 Meet - Ripley, WV

Nov. 2 - WV State XC Championship - Ona, WV

Nov. 30 – Foot Locker South Regional

 

The competitive high school cross country season stretches over three months – longer if he qualifies for Nationals. Brafford looks to make his on legacy by competing in three major meets during the regular season: Saturday Night Lights VIII at Centerville, OH on August 24th, Trinity/Valkryie Invitational at Louisville, KY on September 14th and The Great American XC Festival at Cary, NC on October 5thCan this West Virginia runner become a contender for a national cross country title this fall?