This year's St. Xavier Invitational is presented by Saucony & Fleet Feet Sports. The meet features the number one ranked boy and girl in Ohio, St. Xavier Sr., Michael Vitucci and St. Ursula Sr., Annie Heffernan. Saucony Sponsored athlete, Canadian Nate Brannen, who has a 3:52.63 mile and a 1:46.00 800m in his PR's will be at the meet to present the trophies.
Boys Varsity
The boy's vasity meet 5 of last year's top ten finishers returning, including Ohio #1, US #22, Michael Vitucci of St. Xavier. Vitucci was 17th last year and will be challenged by His own teammates Sr's Cole Grabowski (7th last year) and Brad Eagan (9th last year). Northmont Sr. JT Mackay was 5th last year. He is the #12 ranked boy in Ohio and should challenge Vitucci for the top honors along with Zach Stewart of Cooper (IN). Stewart is the #10 ranked Indiana boy. The other top ten returner is Jr. Ethan Schuley of Highlands. Schuley was 10th last year.
The team race features the St. Xavier boys who are the defending team champions and should repeat. All top 5 teams from last year return: #2 Cooper (IN), #3 Oak Hill, #4 Lakota East and #5 Turpin.'
Girls Varsity
Sr. Annie Heffernan of St. Ursula highlights the girl's varsity run. She is the #1 ranked girl in Ohio and the #14 ranked US girl. She is undefeated this year. As in the boy's race five of last year's top ten runners return. In additon to Heffernan, last year's #4 runner Jr. Cara Schildmeyer of Anderson (IN) returns as well as Jr. Olivia Connaughton (5th last year) of Walnut Hills and Sr's Abbie Vanfossen (6th last year) of Lakota East and Catherine Finke (8th last year) of Ursuline Academy.
The gir's team race will be very competitive with all five of last years teams returning; Walnut Hills, Mother of Mercy, St. Ursula, Ursuline Academy and Loveland.
Read all about Saucony Pro Athlete Nate Brannen