The Rockledge Raider XC Classic was a meet starting in 2001 through 2005. The meet was discontinued until last year rising from the ashes the Rockledge Raiders decided to give it another go and since has attracted many local and non local teams to enter. At the beautiful Robert A. Anderson Park in Rockledge, it serves as a great venue for cross-country racing.
Girls Individual Preview
This one should be all Emily Chapman the Junior out of Brevard Heat. Chapman comes in with a season best (SB) time of 19:07 that she ran last week to take the win at the Astronaut Invite. The battle from 2nd-5th should make out to be a good one though , teammate of Chapman, Sarah Deinbner comes in with a SB of 20:23 and a PR of 20:02. She will be followed by Rebecca Fleeman SB 20:30 , PR 20:10 , Mackenzie Baysinger SB & PR 20:36, and Katarina Jemberg SB 20:39 , PR 20:28. The girls 2nd-5th are all capable of taking spots from each other so it will be a great close battle to the line.
Keep Your Eye On
Two girls to keep an eye out for are Sophomore Kiana Zanganeh out of MCC and Junior Althea Hewitt out of Cocoa Beach. Zanganeh ran 21:26 last week but holds a PR of 20:29 , could have been first race jitters so definitely someone to watch for. Also the Junior out of Cocoa Beach Althea Hewitt, holds a PR of 19:32 but has struggled in recent races, still someone to watch out front if she can run her race.
Girls Team Preview
Brevard Heat captured the team title last year and look to regain just that. Just like on the girls individual side this one should be all Brevard Heat led by Emily Chapman. Brevard heat currently ranked 5th in the recent polls for 1A come into the meet with a team average last week of 21:29 where they placed 7th in the Astronaut Invite. Rockledge and Jensen Beach will be fighting for 2nd and 3rd. While MCC and Cocoa Beach will battle for 4th-5th. This should shape for some good team battles across the board.
Boys Individual Preview
Unlike on the girls side the boys will have a battle between two runners. Sophomore Sam Shaffer out of Viera comes in with a SB and PR of 17 flat. While Senior Drew Denson out of Astronaut comes in with a SB of 17:04 but a PR of 16:36. Shaffer has only raced once this season while Denson raced last weekend at the Astronaut Invite to make that his second race this season. This race is really anyone's race. Denson though has better PR’s in the 5000m and 1600m has shown inconsistency in races but has more experience and is capable of running something quick. While Shaffer on the other hand is the young gun here and is on the rise to a great season with his quick start. No matter what, this race looks to be an interesting one.
Keep Your Eye On
For the boys race besides Shaffer and Denson, there is a gap. Keep your eye on runner out of Astronaut Senior Wesley Garrett. Garrett ran 17:32 a couple weeks ago at the Wickham Park Jamboree but holds a PR of 17:08. If Garrett can run his race and work with teammate Denson they could be a good 1-2 punch in this race.
Boys Team Preview
Last year Cocoa Beach edged out Rockledge and Viera, this season with Cocoa Beach rebuilding, the team battle will be a good one between Rockledge and Viera. In virtual meet Rockledge is ahead by 1 point! The battle between 3rd-7th is anyone's game as well. Astronaut leads the 2nd group being in 3rd with Satellite, Jensen Beach, and West Shore not too far behind. This Rockledg versus Viera battle looks to be a good preview for Cape Coast Conference later on in the year. Expect both teams to be grouped up and running together.
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