(Sorry, but out of state teams can't be added to virtual meets)
Meet Preview
By Scott Alpeter
The Midwest Meet of Champions showcases many of the top teams and individuals in Ohio and surrounding states and is the premier cross country meet in the Midwest. This meet features the top ranked boys and girls D1 teams in Ohio along with many other highly ranked squads. A great atmosphere will greet the teams and their fans. Music will be blaring, both MileSplit and Dyestat will be in attendance to provide national coverage of the meet and play-by-play announcements of each race of this first class meet will be provided to spectators.
The MMOC will be held on Saturday, September 27th and is hosted by Hilliard Darby high school. The course is considered flat and fast and very spectator friendly. The course records are held by Emil Heineking and Bekah Smeltzer. Heineking, from Chardon, was the state cross country champion in Ohio in 2006 and earned All America honors as a freshman at the University of Virginia in 2007. He set the boys course record with a time of 15:14 for the 5,000 meter course. Smeltzer, from Monroe Jefferson was a state champion in Michigan and established the girls course record in 2006 with her 18:14 5K performance.She currently runs for MichiganStateUniversity.Last year's winners were Brian Himelright (from state champion Peninsula Woodridge) in 15:35 and Emily Pritt (Massillon Jackson) who won the girls race with a time of 18:19.Both Himelright and Pritt are freshmen at North CarolinaStateUniversity this fall.
This year's MMOC highlights sophomore phenom Zach Wills from Mason HS.As a freshman, Wills finished 4th in Ohio (15:32) in cross country then won a D1 state title in track with a 9:15 in the 3200 meter run!He is undefeated this season with a best time of 15:37, but has yet to be pushed.Wills also has led Mason to a number one state ranking in Ohio.The Comets should have a great showdown for the team title with number two Centerville, and top 5 teams Toledo St John's and Reynoldsburg.Each of these teams has a terrific front runner!Shawn Roberts (15:30) of Centerville, Kevin Yarnell (15:17) of Toledo St John's and freshman star Tsehaye Hiluf (15:44) of Reynoldsburg are all running very well.Highly ranked Hilliard Davidson, Cuyahoga Falls, Cincinnati LaSalle, Hilliard Darby and Green should be very close to the top of the boys race as well.Other top individuals include another great sophomore in Travis Hawes (LaSalle), state 1600 champion Danny Neff (Vandalia Butler), Dylan Papp (Green) and Eric Schmidt of Centerville.
The girls race features the top 2 teams from the Ohio D1 state meet of 2007.Defending champion BrecksvilleBroadviewHeights faces a serious challenge from top ranked Rocky River Magnificat.Ohio powers Mason, Akron St Vincent St Mary, Brunswick and Cincinnati St Ursula along with Clarkston (MI) and Hilliard Davidson should be major factors in the team race.Magnificat won this meet last year and is running very well.Mags is led by junior, Madeline Chambers.She should be pushed in the individual race by senior Tori Brink (Hilliard Davidson) and senior Austin Perry (St Ursula).
Once again, the Midwest Meet of Champions should be a fantastic meet featuring many of the top individuals and teams in the Midwest!
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