The annual Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational starts tonight with the Middle School and Elementary races which will have 1500 plus runners cruising around Tom Sawyer Park. The big action begins tomorrow morning with the high school action as several of the best teams in the nation compete head to head.
Let's take a look at some of the best runners and teams from multiple states competing tomorrow:
BOYS
Adam Barnard - Daniel Boone (TN)
He opened with a 15:34 to win at the Cherokee Classic in Tennessee. He was 7th at the Tennessee State Track Meet in the 3200m and has best of 1:57 800m, 4:23 1600m.
Matthew Bradford - George Washington (WV)
Two victories this season with both times under 15:22. He was runner-up in the 3200m Run at the West Virginia State Track Championship with a 9:17.98. He went on to place 14th at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in the 3200m.
Colin Burdette - Hillard Davidson (OH)
He won the Asics Hot Summer Bash race in August with a 15:59, the same meet which the host school this week Trinity attended.
Patrick Gregory - Butler (KY)
He has one victory under his belt and a best time of 15:14 this season. He won the big KY opening race at Tiger Run and was 3rd last week in Missouri. He was the 2013 Class AAA State 1600m Champion with best of 4:14 One Mile, 9:10 3200m, and 14:57 5000m on the track.
Michael Hall - St. Xavier (OH)
He opened up his season with a 2nd place finish at the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival with a 15:32. He leads a loaded Cincinnati St. Xavier team. He was 2nd in the 1600m at the Ohio State Track Meet with a 4:09.45. He has best of 1:54 for 800 as well. Hall leads the speed department.
Quintin McKinnish - Morristown West (TN)
He has a best of 16:10 this season but more importantly was 13th last year at Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego. He has a PR in the 3200m of 9:11.
John Spencer - Lafayette (KY)
Blasted a 15:19 last week at the Bluegrass Cross Country Festival on a new course at Masterson Station Park in Lexington. He is a speed guy finishing 2nd in the Class AAA 1600m last spring. He has a 4:18 PR for the One Mile.
Ben Veatch - Carmel (IN)
He was 3rd at the big early season Indiana meet, Terra Haute State Preview meet with a 16:05. He ran 15:41 at Hamilton County to open his season.
There are a ton of athletes who are potential winners and top five runners in this race. Twenty athletes have already run under 16 this season and Trinity Coach Chad Waggoner said he is hoping to have 40 boys under 16 this Saturday. It the weather holds out tonight the course should be on fire as usual tomorrow.
BOYS TEAMS
Several of the best teams from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee will be in attendance. Cincinnati St. Xavier is ranked #1 in D1 for Ohio, Louisville St. Xavier is ranked #1 in Class AAA Kentucky, and Highlands is ranked #1 in Class AA Kentucky. Carmel is always one of the best in Indiana. Dublin Jerome, Mason, and Hillard Davidson are ranked #2-4 in Ohio. Trinity, Cooper, and Daviess County are ranked #2-4 in Class for Kentucky. Watch out for an always tough Brentwood squad from Tennessee.
Pretty much this is going to be a great day of head to head competition.
