Lovejoy Boys Varsity Race
Why: This is going to be one heck of a race, but the course itself is no cake walk. There are several challenge hills that have the potential to weed the weaker hill climbers out early on. It's going to be a race where strength and hill running technique are as important as stamina. There are a few runners in this meet that I have personally seen in the front packs of previous races this year. One frontrunner is Connor O'Neil from Dallas Jesuit. During the Southlake Caroll Invitational, he trailed just off the lead pack the entire time and ended up finishing fourth. O'Neil is one of the stronger runners in the meet and has the best 5K time so far this year, but as we know its XC and time is only a small factor. Another runner who you should look for in the mix is Hebron's Conner Miller. Miller finished 8th in the tough Southlake Invitational field only a few weekends ago. Miller was also top 10 at Marcus I which is no easy feat. Both the Hebron guys and the team as a whole will look to run strong again in this field and continue to prove themselves. With a new coach, the Hawk's are a force to be reckoned with. Another runner we can't count out of the mix is Allen's Jake Johnson, who finished 10th at Marcus I and already has two wins under his belt this year from the Plano ISD Invitational XC Meet and the Ken Garland / Northwest Invitational. It can't be forgotten that he was runner-up at this very meet last year, ceding the win to his teammate Tim Jones who now runs for the University of North Texas.
Lovejoy Girls Varsity Race preview
Who Individuals: Adoette Vaughan, Anna Grace Morgan, Carrie Fish, Madison Acosta, Abby Williams, Anna Grace Morgan, Amelia Jauregui
Teams: The Colony (5A), Frisco Liberty (5A)A, Plano West (6A), Frisco Wakeland (5A), Lewisville Hebron (6A), Prosper (6A), Mountain Brook HS (AL, 7A)
When: Saturday, September 24th, 7:30am Varsity Girls
Why: We anticipate that the rematch we see here on Saturday will be very reminiscent of Marcus I. Although key players such as Ashton Endsley, Elizabeth Reneau, and the Keller and Southlake girls will be absent, this will be a great race none the less. Adoette Vaughan who finished 2nd at Marcus I will lead a strong pack of girls, including Frisco Liberty's Carrie Fish and Hebron's Abby Riordan. Vaughan beat both Fish and Riordan at Marcus I but will have no easy feat beating them again this weekend. Riordan is coming off a rest week and Fish is coming off her first win of the season at the Flower Mound Invitational. Those three are going to be tough to beat, but there are a few other girls on the field who could certainly do it with a strong race. Senior Abby Williams from Prosper will look to be in the mix after two top 10 finishes at both Marcus I and the Plano ISD Invitational. Other strong 5A competitors will be Fish's teammate Amelia Jauregui and The Colony's Madison Acosta. Acosta and Vaughan were recently named to our Girls Future Stars of XC List.
Turning our attention to the teams, there are several ranked teams who should be looking to throw down big at this meet. Just as we anticipate with the men's race, we're going to put our money on our Saucony Flo50 5A #1 ranked Frisco Liberty girls to take this one. They have been on a hot streak with two wins in a row over 5A and 6A teams alike. Also, be on the lookout for 5A Prosper as they are ranked #2 in our 5A Saucony Flo50 rankings; and don't forget about 6A powerhouse and Saucony Flo50 6A #5 ranked Lewisville Hebron.