Every year the flrunners.com Invitational hosts the largest cross country meet in the Southeast. Besides the huge numbers and fun atmosphere the meet is known for the showdown of the state's finest teams and some out of state guests: THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS.
While we allow up to 35 teams in our other races, the Race of Champions is limited to the 15-25 top team entries. We don't try to fill the race, we try to honor it as a place of prestige to be on the list. Each year we evaluate all of our Saturday entries and seed just the cream of the crop into the ROC.
This is our first round of teams seeded into the ROC. Depending on early season results and feedback or inside information received, there may be another round of teams drafted into the race. Or this may be it. Other teams requesting entry into the Saturday races will be seeded into the Invitational (second tier elite) or the Varsity Open.
Congrats to these teams!
BOYS RACE OF CHAMPIONS
Bishop Kenny (1)
Belen Jesuit (2)
Charlotte (13)
Christopher Columbus (5)
Dr. Phillips (3)
Ferguson (10)
Ft. Walton Beach (7)
Lake Braddock VA (#16 Virginia, 17:08 average in 2008 for returning 5)
Leon (8) - Return as "8th" but really should be top three in the state if not #1.
Melbourne - Atkinson, Fagan will race at Great American. Coach says rest will surprise.
Norcross GA (#18 Georgia, 17:14 average in 2008 for returnting 5)
Olympia (12)
Okeechobee
Plant
Ransom Everglades (4)
Tampa Jesuit
Trinity Prep (9)
Winter Park (17)
Wiregrass Ranch (14)
Woodstock GA (#17 Georgia, 17:12 average in 2009 for returning 5)
Up to 5 slots left!!!
GIRLS RACE OF CHAMPIONS
Community School of Naples (8)
Cypress Lake (19)
Ft. Myers (16)
Ft. Walton Beach (15)
Lake Highland (5)
Melbourne (10)
Lake Braddock VA (#5 9/8/09 Virginia Rankings, 19:41 team average in 2008 for returning 5)
Lakeland Christian (12)
Our Lady of Lourdes (6)
Ransom Everglades (9)
The Geneva School (20)
Vero Beach
Wharton (13)
Winter Park (2)
Up to 11 slots left!!!
FRIDAY NIGHT ALERT!!!
Pearl River NY returns this year with a dominant team, with top 5 returners all running under 20 minutes for 5K last year (19:25 team average). They have chosen to race on Friday though, so will not be in the ROC unless they change their mind.
INDIVIDUALS
Don't forget also that many of the top individuals in the state on teams that are not racing in the ROC will be in the race also. My general minimum guideline for an individual to be entered into the ROC without their team is that they have a decent chance at running sub-19 for a girl or sub-16 for boys on a good to breakout day.
Here are the ones "drafted" so far. Note that some of the ones below may opt to still race with their teams, but they can run ROC if they like. Based on early season results or new entries others may be added.
BOYS
Trent Craig (Cypress Lake)
Ryan Pickering (John I Leonard)
Erick Montoya (Estero)
Mark Parrish (Chamberlain)
Tyler Davidson (Cocoa Beach)
Seth Rosonina (Astronaut)
Zach Christenson (Countryside)
Nick Arjoon (Bayside)
James Stern (Satellite)
Bruce Federico (Nature Coast)
Will Bridges (Edgewater)
Nick Palmero (North Broward Prep)
Sean Rhnning (Lyman)
Phil Duncan (Boone)
Dominic Dalton (Pine Forest)
Nick Groome (St. Edwards)
GIRLS
Stephanie Strasser (Fernandina Beach)
Hannah howell (St. Stephens)
Carrie Davis (Gulliver)
Alyssa Burkert (Ocoee)
Meredith Anderson (Benjamin)
Emily Edwards (Canterbury)
Danielle Dunn (St. Johns Country Day)
Camille Jackson (Providence)
Brittney Olinger (Oak Hall)
Devin McDermott (Lakewood Ranch)
