The Katie Caples Invitational is much more than just an opportunity for many of the State’s best runners to compete against each other. This meet is a celebration of life and an opportunity to push the importance of organ donation. Katie Caples, a runner for Bishop Kenny, died tragically in a car accident in 1998, at the young age of 17. Her decision to be an organ donor saved the lives of five people and aided the lives of over 50 others through tissue donation. In her name, her parents created the Katie Caples Foundation, dedicated to spreading the message of Katie’s story and the impact she had on so many lives with her decision to be an organ donor. If you would like to read more about the Katie Caples Foundation, CLICK HERE. 

Meet Schedule  
5:00 PM - Girls MS Race (3k)  
5:25 PM - Boys MS Race (3k)  
5:45 PM - Girls JV Race  
6:30 PM - Boys JV Race  
7:15 PM - Girls Varsity Race  
7:50 PM - Boys Varsity Race  
8:20 PM - Girls Elite Race  
8:50 PM - Boys Elite Race

Here are the teams racing in this year’s Elite races.

Girls Elite Team Preview
Bolles, after losing to Chiles by just six points without their full squad at the Florida Horse Park Invitational, is bringing their best to the 2016 Katie Caples Invitational. In our hypothetical preview, which does not include times from the 5,026 meter Florida Horse Park Invitational race, Bolles, currently ranked number one in 2A in the latest FACA Coaches Poll, beats Chiles by over 40 points. However, the impressive race that Chiles ran at their last matchup with Bolles proves that this race may be much closer than it seems. 

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

Girls Elite Individual Preview
The nationally ranked Caitlin Collier of Bolles and FHSAA 4A State Championship runner up, Katie Delay of Fletcher will finally have someone to push them back under 18 this season, with the state’s best freshman, Alyson Churchill of Lincoln. The freshman phenom currently holds the second best time in the state, with her 18:05 performance at the Bainbridge Bearcat Invitational. It would be very nice to see these three girls push each other under 18, and this will be a great race to do it. 

CLICK HERE to see the full hypothetical preview with all girls individuals entered! 

Boys Elite Team Preview
The race up front is going to be very exciting, with the number one ranked team in 2A, Bolles, the number two ranked team in 3A, Chiles, and top-10 Alabama team, Baker. Our hypothetical preview shows Bolles winning this meet with 64 points, Baker coming in second with 84, and Chiles taking third with 91. Chiles’ best shot at challenging Bolles is if their number five runner can hang on to their number four runner, removing about 25 points from their score. Either way, get ready for a very exciting boys team race!

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

Boys Elite Individual Preview
Up front in the Boys Elite race, you will see Charlie Hicks of Bolles, your state leader who ran an impressive 15:33 on a long Florida Horse Park Invitational course. Hicks will have some company up front, as this race will also feature the second faster runner in Alabama, Jay Day of Baker, a top-10 runner from South Carolina, Jake Mueller of Irmo, and Florida’s own Michael Phillips from Chiles. All of these boys have run under 16 minutes for 5k this year, and we expect them to push each other even further under at this weekend’s meet. Also up front will be Chase Rivera of Bolles, who ran 16:05 at the Florida Horse Park Invitational.

CLICK HERE to see the full hypothetical preview with all boys individuals entered!