Palatine Invitational Preview: It Is Time For The Meet Of Champions

Hinsdale Central will be watching and ready to compete on Saturday at the Meet of Champions

Date: Saturday, September 24, 2016

Location: Deer Grove East Forest Preserve; Palatine, IL

Girls schedule: F/S 9:25am; Varsity 10:20am; JV 11:20am

Boys schedule: Frosh 9:00am; Soph 9:50am; Varsity 10:50am; JV 11:50am

The meet skinny: The Palatine Meet of Champions is a massive meet featuring a ton of the state's marquee teams and individuals. As well there are a few featured teams from Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky. The course was changed from 2.95 miles in 2010 to 3.0 miles.

Opening thoughts: The Palatine Invitational goes way back in terms of tradition. The rich tradition originally started as a frosh-soph meet in 1971 and then moved to a full varsity meet in 1984. Elmhurst (York) came on the scene and dominated with team titles- 13. The Dukes have staged this invitational as their season bookmark for many years there after.

This year could be the first time upstart Lake Zurich becomes victorious. The Bears have been bubbling for three years now. 

The girls field may be deeper than the boys when you think about it. Yorkville is a five time defending state champion from 2A. The Lady Foxes have officially move into the 3A at the start of the season. The state's third ranked team narrowly lost to Naperville North at the First to The Finish Invitational two weeks ago. Several out of state teams figure to mix it up on the boys and girls side of things.

The weather is expected to cooperate as well. The temps should rise to 80F but not before the varsity races are in the recording book.