Weekend Preview: 9/6-9/7 XC meets
The following is a sampling of the some of the top prep XC meets around the country this weekend.
ALABAMA
Mobile Challenge of Champions, Sept. 6-7, Langan Park, Mobile, 5k – The first of meet director Steve Schoenwald’s two annual Challenges (the other, on the track in the spring, is a NSAF Select Meet), this Gulf region overland battle is set to feature defending champ Robert Hope of local UMS-Wright vs. Niceville FL star Thomas Howell on the boys’ side, and outstanding Ocean Springs MS frosh Kate Mattox and Pass Christian soph Regen McGee on the girls side.
CALIFORNIA
Great Cow Run, Sept. 7, Cerritos Regional Park, 3M – The field is expected to include California top-10 teams Brea Olinda, Long Beach Poly, and Redondo Union, as well as an individual clash between 4:09 1600 runner Austin Tamagno and Sydney Gidabuday.
Saugus September Showdown, Sept. 7, Saugus Central Park, 5k – This is a new quad-meet pitting four of the state’s top girls’ powers, including Saugus, Great Oak, Bonita and JSerra.
COLORADO
Centaurus Invite, Sept. 7, Waneka Lake Park, Lafayette, 5k – 4:15 1500 runner and defending 4A state champ Elise Cranny expected to make her debut here.
Cherry Creek Invite, Sept. 6, Cherry Creek State Park, Greenwood Village, 5k – The host school and traditional power Fort Collins highlight entries.
St. Vrain Invite, Sept. 7, Lyons HS, Lyons, 5k – State #1 teams Monarch girls and Mountain Vista boys should be in the lineup here, as well as Air Academy standout Katie Rainsberger.
ILLINOIS
Hornet Red Devil, Sept. 7, Katherine Legge Memorial Park, Hinsdale, 3M – One of the first big meets of the fall in the Land of Lincoln.
INDIANA
Harrison Invite, Sept. 6, West Lafayette, 5k – Eight of the state’s top 15 girls’ teams, according to Indianarunner.com rankings, are slated to compete.
Terre Haute Savings Bank Invite, Sept. 7, Terre Haute (state meet course), 5k – The state’s top two boys teams, Carmel and Brebeuf Jesuit, are entered here, along with a few other top 15 schools. Patrick Gregory from Butler (Ky.) and Zach Snider of Brebeuf are two top individuals to watch.
MINNESOTA
Faribault Invite, Sept. 6, Alexander Park, Boys-5k/Girls-4k – The biggest early-season test in the Gopher State.
NORTH CAROLINA
Adidas Seahawk Invite, Sept. 7, UNC-Wilmington, 5k – The highly touted Broughton boys make their season debut, and Megan Sullivan vs Grace Sullivan vs Sydney Foreman should be a great girls’ individual battle.
OHIO
Mason Invite, Sept. 7, Pine Hills Lake Park, Mason, 5k – Strong programs from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana expected to clash here.
Tiffin XC Carnival, Sept. 7, Hedges Boyer Park, Tiffin, 5k – Probably Ohio’s biggest invitational.
PENNSYLVANIA
PTXC 5 – Presented by New Balance, Sept. 7, Kutztown U., Kutztown, 5k – Hosted by PennTrackXC.com, this meet has become one of the state’s biggest and best and is a great early-season measuring stick.
RHODE ISLAND
RITCA Injury Fund Races, Sept. 7, Burrillville MS, Burrillville, 5k – Look for many of the state’s strongest programs here.
TEXAS
Southlake Carroll Invite, Sept. 7, Bob Jones Park, Southlake, 5k – Only major meet that this traditional power hosts.
VIRGINIA
Great Meadow, Sept. 7, Great Meadows Non-State Course, The Plains, 5k – One of the top three or four invites in the state, year after year.
WASHINGTON
Tracy Walters Invite, Sept. 7, Audubon Park, Spokane, 3M – Always one of the top early-season meets in the Evergreen State, hosted by traditional power North Central.
Thanks to various websites such as DyeStat.com, Milesplit.us, athletic.net, ritca.com. finishtiming.com, raceberryjam.com, and Indianarunner.com for entry and meet information in this story.
