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Charlottesville High School

CHS cross-country to host first-ever home meet at McIntire Park

Posted Date: 09/14/26 (09:04 AM)
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Four runners pose together in matching orange and black Charlottesville jerseys, wearing race bibs numbered 58 at The Ragged Mountain Cup.

The Charlottesville High School Athletics department will host a home cross-country meet at McIntire Park for the first time in school history on Wednesday (September 16). 


The Black Knights will host Jefferson District opponents Louisa County, Fluvanna County, and Western Albemarle for the four-team meet. Wednesday’s meet begins at 5pm with the girls race, followed by the boys race at approximately 5:30pm. The open race will begin at approximately 6pm. 


The CHS cross-country program has enjoyed great success in recent years. Last season, both the Black Knights’ boys and girls teams posted top-5 finishes at the VHSL Class 4 state meet, and CHS runner Elaina Pierce won the individual Class 4 state championship. But the Black Knights have not had a true home course to race on. In recent years, all of Charlottesville’s “home” meets have been held at either Darden Towe Park or Panorama Farms in Earlysville.


CHS Athletics worked to create a true home course for the cross-country program this season, partnering with the City's Parks and Recreation Department to host a meet at McIntire Park, which is located next to the Charlottesville High School campus. 


"Having a true home course helps our athletes feel a sense of pride in our program and creates a greater connection to the high school and the wider Charlottesville community,” CHS Co-Head Coach Guian McKee said. “Cross-country is a unique sport in that it is open to any student willing to be committed and do the work, and we’re thrilled that these dedicated athletes will have a home facility that is truly our own, but that is also part of the larger community. We also want to thank our partners at the City Parks and Recreation Department who helped to make this a reality.” 


To celebrate the first CHS home cross-country meet at McIntire Park, former Black Knights Cross-Country Coach Ray Ackenbom, who retired after last season, will be the honorary starter for the meet.


Wednesday’s event is currently the only scheduled meet at McIntire Park on the 2026 CHS cross-country schedule, but the program plans to work with Charlottesville City Schools, the CHS mountain biking team, and the City Parks and Recreation Department to make updates and improvements to the cross-country course at McIntire Park for use in future seasons.