PRESS RELEASE- Memphis, TN 9/20/10
Brooks Memphis Twilight Cross Country Classic Offers Loaded Field
The 2010 edition of the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic promises to be the best ever. Billed as the ‘largest night time cross country race in the south’ event founder and race director Coach Bill Hoffman (Christian Brothers University) has put together a highly impressive list of teams and competitors in the high school and college/open divisions. Teams from throughout the southeast,midwest and westcoast will converge on Memphis’ Mike Rose soccer complex on September 25th with the first race starting at 4:30 pm.
In the women’s college/open race Auburn Coach and Olympian Mark Carroll brings to the line 2008 All-American Holly Knight who won this year’s Crimson Tide Classic. She will face tough competition from teammate Stephanie Barns as well as Eastern Kentucky’s Kat Pagano, and reigning Ohio Valley Conference champion Pioty Leitich Bomet also of EKU. Top teams include defending champion Samford, Stephen F. Austin, Auburn, EKU, and UAB.
The men’s college/open race features an Olympian and numerous All-Americans. Former All-American and U.S. Olympian Josh McAdams (2008- 3000m Steeplechase) will be making his BMTC debut and will face stiff competition from All-Americans Ben Cheruiyot of Auburn, and Brooks Memphis Champ ( 2007 and 2008) Daniel Kirwa of Harding Univ. Look for Auburn freshman standout Colin Parker, Union University’s Edwin Kurgat, EKU runners Soufiance Bouchokhi and Victor Kemboit, and San Jose State Alfredo Coronado, who ran well at UC Riverside last week. The course record of 23:05 could very well be broken this year. Top teams include defending champion South Alabama, Harding University, Auburn, EKU, Univ. of Arkansas LR, and Stephen F. Austin.
Not to be out-done, the high school races promise to be just as competitive. The girls race showcases freshman Abigail Topham (Cordova) against multiple state champion Casey Nobert (SR, St. Agnes). Scottsboro’s Olivia Thompson, Mississippi state champion Courtney Nolan (SO, Pearl) and Tupelo’s Katherine Steinman will have something to say about this race as well. Top teams include Bentonville HS (AR), Daviess CO. (KY), Hoover HS (AL) Harrison HS (GA), Scottsboro HS (AL), Tupelo HS (MS), and St. Agnes Academy (TN).
On the boys side former college All-American Seneca Lassiter brings a standout newcomer from Springdale, AR to the race. Look for a race to the wire between Lassiter’s state champion Gabriel Gonzalez (SR, Springdale), Pearl High School’s state champion Andrew Harwell (SR, Pearl) and the number one ranked runner in Missouri Caleb Wilfong (SO, Rock Bridge). Also, in the mix should be Alden Dixon (Arlington), Andrew White (Tupelo), Harrison Campeau (Tupelo) and Evan Ehrenheim (Daviess County). Top teams include former Olympian Mike Power’s Bentonville HS (AR) squad, Daviess County (KY), Houston HS (TN), Cordova HS (TN), Harrison HS (GA), Hoover HS (AL), Scottsboro HS (AL), Tupelo HS (MS) and Pearl HS (MS).
Over 2000 runners and 200 teams will compete in this year’s Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic. The night of racing promises to be a cross country showcase.
Race Director: Bill Hoffman, 901-262-7260
Press release questions: Mark Newman, 901-734-3589