Mason Cross Country Invitational Preview
D1 - Boys Preview
This year's Mason Invitational Cross Country Meet promises to be as good as ever with a new record number of athletes and teams competing. This year the meet boasts teams from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and South Carolina for the first time. The course is in great shape, the summer rains have provided some nice grass, but is it still hard enough to run fast. On the boys side, the meet looks like a showdown between the best of Ohio vs. the best of Kentucky. The #2, #3 and #4 preseason KY schools are coming to the meet while the Ohio Teams will have St. Xavier #1, Mason #3, Centerville # 9, Lancaster # 11 and many others along with some of the best D2 teams in the state as well. The race up front should be a great battle depending upon what St. X Bombers show. Nick Grismer of Mason has already produced a 16:00 on the tough Loveland course, Mccabe of Bradley 15:59, and Ryan Larkin of Centerville 15:57, along with Hall / Stiffle / Vitucci of St. X, all of whom are ready to go sub 16:00 or have previously. (if they compete at Mason) Not to mention a number of outstanding KY athletes as well, including Stewart from Cooper, 16:03, along with many other strong front runners and solid teams.
D1 - Girls Preview
On the girls side, the meet is loaded! The Carmel show is coming to town again, along with Assumption and many other strong teams. Both of these teams are ranked in the top 5 in the U.S. and look to be worthy of their ranking. Both teams are #1 in their respective states (IN, KY) and look ready to rock. Assumption has not yet raced this season, but return most everyone from their top 10 US team, and Carmel has raced just once and they too look ready to rock. The Comets of Mason (#1 OH) look to jump on the train and try their best to stay with these outstanding teams. Last year, Carmel ran away with it, and Mason was a good bit back, this year could look different with Assumption and several other good Ohio schools in the mix. In the front of this race should be a few of the stars of Carmel, Welch, 18:08 last year, Harris, 18:10 last year, #2 Harris, 18:12 last year and so on down the line. As far as Assumption, they bring back Baley Davis, 17:44 last year, along with Receveur, 17:47 last year. As far as the Ohio contingent, Mason brings back Ford and Murphy, both solidly under 18:30 last year, along with Heffernan of St. Ursula who has already logged a blazing 17:54 this season, as well as Frederick of Ursuline, 18:26 and Shildmeyer of Anderson who too has been sub 19:00 this season.
D2 - Girls Preview
The D2 race is a tight match….. for second. If Alter choses to run in the D2 race, they should run away with it. Literally. Then, the girls race should be a battle up front between the power house D2 teams of McNic, Springfield Shawnee and Mariemont may not be far behind. With Wyoming sitting this one out, these teams will duke it out for the D2 Mason Invite title. They should produce some fast times on the course this year, as the ground is hard, and the weather looks great. The race up front could be a battle between a few Alter girls, namely Groene 19:25 and a New Richmond runner in Claire Burns, 19:24. A few KY schools will also be in the mix, so don't count them out either.
D2 - Boys Preview
The men from Darlington SC have come a long way, so heads up! The race appears to be Springfield Shawnee's to lose, but Valley View and Milton Union won't give up easily. Up front, the race should be a head to head with 2 boys from Valley View, the Bussard Brothers, both sub 16:30 and 2 from Shawnee, Holmes and Pinrose, both well under 17:00 so far this season. Many other teams will be in contention for a top 5 spot, but these two look to be headed for a collision course. It should be a great race, so sit back and enjoy.