Knoxville Youth Athletics will host some of the fastest 3200 runners in the state in preparation for Footlocker or Nike post season meets.
The meet will be held at Hardin Valley Academy which has seen meet records of 8:54 (Aaron Templeton) and 9:59 (Rebecca Story) in recent years.
And Story will be back in action on Friday night at HVA.
This year's meet has the potential to scare both of those records with Story back to defend her crown and break her meet/state record. Behind Story, there are 3 girls who are trying to run between 10:40 and 11:00 with Niki Narayani, Shila Kapaya and Maddy Moody.
A core group of 3-4 boys are slated to push the 9 minute barrier with Titus Winders and Wake Forest signee Carter Coughlin leading the way.
Silas Winders, Jake Renfree and Seth Bowden have the best personal bests behind them all at 9:30 or faster.
With 4 of the 8 state champions and many all-state athletes from the 2017 TN State XC Championships, there is a lot of talent and depth entered into the meet.
Brentwood High School has the current lead in the 5x2 Mile team standings at the HOKA Postal Nationals. They'll compete at Brentwood Academy on Saturday night.
Featured Athletes (confirmed entries):
Girls
Rebecca Story (CAK): Tennessee D2 A XC Champion. 3rd at the 2016 Footlocker Nationals. Meet Record Holder: 9:59 in 2016
Niki Narayani (Webb): 10:59 PR. Tennessee D2 A XC Champion
Maddy Moody (Anderson Co): 11:23 PR. Tennessee Large School State XC 3rd Place
Shila Kapaya (Knox Catholic): 11:15 PR. Tennessee Large School 6th place.
Boys
Titus Winders (Henry Co): 9:17 PR. Tennessee Large School State XC Champion. 15th at 2016 FL South
Carter Coughlin (Webb): 9:20 PR. Tennessee D2 A XC Champion. 20th at 2016 FL South
Silas Winders (Henry Co): 9:27 PR. Tennessee Large School State XC Runner-up. 2016 FL South Frosh Champion
Jake Renfree (Knox Catholic): 9:30 PR. Tennessee Large School State XC 4th Place
Seth Jinks (L&N Stem): Tennessee Small School XC Champion
KYA's Chris Kane contributed to this article.
