Event Date: August 26, 2017
Location: SIU-Edwardsville Cross Country Facility; 5K (5000m)
Race times:
8:30 am Junior high race (1.8 miles, all grade school runners run together, awards separate)
9:30 am High school girls race (all girl runners)
10:15 am High school boys race (all boy runners)
Key Boys Teams: 2A: Mascoutah; 1A: #5 Freeburg, #12 Father McGivney, Nashville, Steeleville
Key Girls Teams: 2A- #19 Mascoutah; 1A- #17 Decatur (St. Teresa), #22 Nashville, Staunton, Freeburg
2017 Meet Page: FTTF Kickoff Classic
Scenario:
It should be another nice opening weekend for the state of Illinois as a bevy of teams put their pre-season training to the test. Approximately 50 boys and girls teams will battle for two plaques. In addition, over 100 runners in each gender will be eligible for an award.
Mascoutah used a 48-second spread last year in winning the girls invite with a fine score of 88 points. The Indians appear to be in the catbird seat once again with a potent line up back. Top runner junior Julie Kapp should lead the charge. Look for upstart Decatur St. Teresa to make a run for the title with good experience returning on the strength of a fourth-place finish a year ago. Freeburg, who was third, is expected to vie for top honors. Individually, look for all-staters sophomore Lydia Roller of Staunton and junior Breanna Chandler of Freeburg to fight for the title. Roller is the defending champion and Chandler took second.
The boy's side of the ledger could be a bit different this Saturday. Defending champion Mascoutah won in the same fashion as their girl's team with a strong scoring pack- 44 seconds was the margin that won it all. Things could be different this time around with a strong pre-season foe Freeburg in the lineup. The Midgets placed second last year without star Charlie Parrish. Parrish has graduated but the unit will be just as tough. Senior Carson Smith is back and the goal is to get on the podium. Individually, six of the top ten boys are back. All-State runners Jackson Stewart of St. Teresa and sophomore star Justin Mumford of Wesclin are back. Stewart won a hard-fought race over Mumford won by six seconds 16:29-16:35. Mumford would later go on to become the top freshman in the state with a 15:06 clocking.