Wake Forest-bound senior Alyssa Preisano and junior sister Justine Preisano, both representing Cuthbertson High in North Carolina and members of the reigning 4A state cross country champions as well as the defending Nike Indoor Nationals champions in the 4x800-meter relay, join DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Sept. 16 in the girls sweepstakes race at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS at Great Park in Irvine, Calif. The siblings reflect on the Cavaliers' performance Sept. 9 in the championship race at Friday Night Lights at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C., placing five scorers in the top 12 to produce a 26-173 victory over Cardinal Gibbons. Juniors Stella Kermes (17:56.10) and Charlotte Bell (18:00.80) took the top two spots in the 5-kilometer competition, with Alyssa Preisano securing sixth in 18:15 and Justine Preisano earning eighth in 18:27.80 and junior Lily Fierick placing 12th by clocking 18:53.30. They explain how Cuthbertson and coach Kirk Walsh arrived at the decision to compete at Woodbridge, and the excitement for racing against several teams the Cavaliers squared off in December at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Alabama. They revisit the experience at John Hunt Park in Huntsville and finishing 14th overall, and how much was learned in preparation for Woodbridge and other elite racing opportunities this season. The sisters also reminisce about competing with Bell and Kermes in March at both the New Balance Nationals Indoor in the 4xMile Relay and placing second in 20:01.48 at The Armory, and speak about a rematch with Lewisville Flower Mound of Texas at Woodbridge, along with capturing the Nike Indoor Nationals title at Ocean Breeze Sports Complex in the 4x800 in 8:59.85. They also express gratitude for the opportunity to race in April in the 4x800 at Penn Relays, finishing second overall in the Championship of America event in 9:04.67 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Alyssa Preisano shares her decision to commit early to Wake Forest and her excitement for the recruiting class that she is a part of, along with Brooke Wilson of Valor Christian in Colorado, plus several elite guys. They also look forward to racing Oct. 1 at the Great American XC Festival at WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C., in addition to pursuing a fifth consecutive state title, including back-to-back crowns in 4A, trying to become only the fourth girls program in North Carolina history to achieve such an impressive feat.

WATCH LIVE WEBCAST OF WOODBRIDGE CROSS COUNTRY CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ASICS SEPT. 15-16