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Asics Marion Invitational IN - PreviewPublished by
Lots of talent on hard for Asics Marion Invite
By Parker West for DyeStat
Now that September is finally here, cross country season is about to get REAL. On Saturday Indiana Wesleyan is hosting the 2015 Asics Marion Invitational. Every year, this proves to be a fast race as great competition goes head to head on IWU’s fast course. To raise even more anticipation, meet director Eric Jackson has added two new races in addition to the Purple (Large school) and Gold (Small school) divisions.
Elite boys and girls races have been added, featuring many of the top team in Indiana.
There will also be a video screen near the start/finish line showing a live feed of the racing action. It will also show scoring at the one mile and two mile markers.
The girls elite race looks like it may be the most exciting of the meet. It features three of the top five teams in the state, such as Pendleton Heights, Fort Wayne Carroll, and Penn. Each of these teams have top runners to add excitement to the individual race. The front of the pack should include Alex Buck, Madison Fruchey, Tyler Schwartz, Madison Diselrath, Abi Little, Lauren Frank and Emma Jankowski. Buck hasn’t gotten a hard race under her belt yet this season, but she owns a PR of 17:54, so if there is a favorite to win this race, it’s her.
While the boys team race may not be as stacked as the girls, there are definitely going to be some talented teams here. Westfield, one of the top teams in the Hoosier state, will be there to take on Carroll and Noblesville. The individual race sees a rematch of Brayden Law vs Cameron Clements from the Huntington North Invitational.
In that first meeting, Law used a lethal kick to beat Clements 15:50 to 15:53.
Last year in the Marion Invitational, Clements was second in 15:19 and Law was third in 15:22.
Joining them is the Westfield duo of Alec Hartman and Aaron Bennett. Hartman was runner-up in the Hamilton County Championships just a few days ago in 15:44. As if that wasn’t enough, David Coffey, who has posted a 15:51, will be joining them in the lead pack. But wait! There’s more! Noblesville brings in Eric Hoffman, who just ran 16:15 at the Hamilton County Championships.
In the girls purple division race, All-Stater and sub-11 3,200-meter runner, Bailey Beery. After falling short of advancing to the state finals in XC last year, she’s looking to make her presence known on the grass this year. In the boys purple division race, Pendleton Heights, who boast three of the top freshmen in the state and are led by Parker Jones, who owns a 16:07 PR, and Eli Young, who owns a 16:47 PR, looks like the top team. Joining them on an individual aspect is Conference-Rival, Sam Voelz. Last year, Voelz ran 15:57 twice to establish himself as one of the top sophomores in the state.
Note: For live updates and interviews, check out @PastaParker on Twitter, and I’m also going to be testing out Periscope for the first time to bring you live video and also stream the interviews. More news |