A few of Kentucky’s best runners will compete tomorrow at the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina. Annually it is one of the top meets in the nation attracting many of the best. Kentucky is well represented by two teams each ranked #1 in the current KYtrackXC.com Power 10 All-Class Rankings and 3 Individual Class #1’s.
The ladies of Assumption are coming off a victory at the Palatine Invitational in Ohio beating two squads who had previously qualified for Nike Cross Nationals. Two weeks ago at the Valkyrie Invitational they had a first for Kentucky with four girls under the 19 minute barrier in one race. Katherine Receveur, Emily Bean, and Bailey Davis were all within a second of each other with times of 18:43, 18:44, and 18:45. Caroline McCaslin rolled in with an 18:58 for the fourth. They will attempt to contend for the win tomorrow.
The Tigers of St. Xavier will be attempting to win as well led by junior Connor Sheryak and senior Zack Beavin. Both ran personal best times of 15:38 and 15:52 at the annual St. Xavier/Trinity Dual Meet. Third man Sam Lewis also clocked in under the 16 minute mark with a 15:57. They have great depth, the question is can they get their top three high enough in the placing to start their score right.
Individually, three #1’s are attending. Class A #1 Jacob Thomson and Class AA #1 James Brown will compete in the Race of Champions. Thomson will further his push to make him one of the top runners in the Southeast. Brown, the 2009 Sophomore Race winner at Foot Locker South will look for the same kind of success in North Carolina tomorrow. Thomson was the Freshman Race winner that year at Foot Locker, so North Carolina has good memories for both. Sayre’s Maddox Patterson, Class A #1 is coming off an 18:35 4th place finish at the Valkyrie Invitational. She will be trying to establish her name as one of the better young runners in the Southeast. Look out for Sayre’s top male runner, Class A #2 Nicholas Waltman as well. He will be looking to get as near as Thomson as possible in preparation for their post-season match-up in Class A.