*By Joey Castagnaro for DyeStatFL*

Nearly 600 runners will toe the line this weekend at the 17th annual Holy Trinity Cross Country Classic in Melbourne, FL. Known for its fast course winding through Holy Trinity’s campus, the Holy Trinity Cross Country Classic is always a meet to keep an eye on.

Although the 2014 and 2015 courses were classified as three miles, Scott Baker, head coach at Holy Trinity, has made considerable changes that ensure the course is now a full 5000 meters. Although these changes lengthen the course, don’t be surprised if you see finishing times just as fast as previous years. Coach Baker explained that he has taken out some of the sharper turns and slower portions of the course. To compensate for this, Coach Baker has “made up the distance on the track.”  Baker says that this change will be great for parents and fans, as they can watch the athletes complete the final 600 meters of the race around the track before finishing in front of the grand stands. Baker explains, “We feel like we created the fastest 5000 meter course in the state.”

However, this week’s weather may have a substantial impact on the course. Baker explained that the course is “very wet” and that water would be pumped off in an effort to keep it in tip top shape for the upcoming meet. To make for the best course, Coach Baker has also been measuring alternate routes throughout the week, in case there are parts of the course that are not runnable.

With that said, athletes should not fret that this course will be any slower than usual.

Let’s take a look at how the race might play out.

Girls Varsity - 7:30 AM

Boys Varsity - 8:00 AM

Girls JV - 08:30 AM

Boys JV - 09:10 AM

CLICK HERE to check out all the teams entered.

BOYS VARSITY PREVIEW

We've confirmed the plan is for Trinity Prep to race their JV.  We've also learned that Hernando's Trevor Foley will make the trip for the meet.

The meet preview is based on full teams racing so this will obviously change some with TP's JV and Foley added with quite possibly some more changes as we learn of them.

Listed below are the top three projected team finishers. Trinity Prep, the reigning FHSAA 2A Cross Country state champions, are expected to dominate on the course, finishing with only 57 points at the large 35-team meet. With their top five all finishing in the top 20, Trinity Prep should have no problem taking home the “W” tomorrow. Trinity Prep was recently ranked the top 2A boys team in the first FACA XC Poll, and I have no doubt that they will maintain that spot after this weekend’s meet.

CLICK HERE to see the full hypothetical meet with all entered teams!

On the individual side, expect to see a great battle up front between Hernando's Trevor Foley, Titusville's Mason Jones and Rockledge's Troy Smith if he can keep it close early. 

Jones has already posted two sub-16 times this season and will most likely dip under again given the speed course expected at Holy Trinity. Rockledge's Troy Smith, who opened up with an impressive 16:06, besting his PR of 16:21 at the Wickham Park Jamboree for 2nd behind Jones.  I predict we will be hearing a lot more about Troy Smith this cross country season. Also, undoubtedly in the mix will be Austin Camps of West Shore, who boasts a PR of 16:12 and finished 4th last week at the Fleet Feet Invitational.

CLICK HERE to see the full hypothetical meet with all individuals!

GIRLS VARSITY PREVIEW

In the hypothetical meet below, the Trinity Prep girls will also take the first place trophy home. Close behind will be defending 1A State Champions Circle Christian and 3A Merritt Island. Separated by only two points, the race for second is up for grabs. Only nine points behind Merritt Island is Winter Springs, who will certainly be in the run for second as well.

CLICK HERE to see the full hypothetical meet with all entered teams!

For individuals, Holy Trinity Episcopal senior Samantha Folio will look to run to victory at her final Holy Trinity Cross Country Classic. With a season best nearly one minute faster than the next closest competitor so far in 2016, I do not see a problem with her running another stellar race as Folio has won both of her races this cross country season by over 30 seconds and will most certainly look to add another win to her undefeated season Saturday morning. 

Scheduled to compete as well is another stellar athlete from the Space Coast, Melbourne's Amanda Beach who has been under the radar so far this season hasn't raced any XC events as far as we can tell.  As the defending Classic champion, she scorched the lightning fast campus course in 2015 going 18 flat.  Over the summer, she impressively went out very quickly at New Balance Outdoors in the 5K and dropped a 17:48.  She also went 10:48 in the deuce on the track. 

So the question is, can race sharp Folio protect the home turf against the likes of Beach and Circle Christian's Sinkenesh Parker? 

CLICK HERE to see the full hypothetical meet with all individuals!

See you Saturday morning!