The Voyles Classic is always a big opener in Middle Tennessee.
Be sure to stay with us tomorrow on Tennessee Runner as the mid-state gets going with a big meet in Hermitage. The final Saturday in August has always been a big day in the state of Tennessee for cross country. And this year is certainly no different.
You've got the Ashe Park Classic in Knoxville. Memphis Twilight is Saturday night. And Voyles runs on Saturday morning.
Ravenwood, Oakland, Brentwood Academy, Centennial, Riverdale and Franklin are the tip of the iceberg down at Voyles.
This meet, which used to be run on a Thursday afternoon, has provided some fast times since its move to a much cooler time of day.
Lebanon junior Aiden Britt comes in as the favorite in the guys race. He got under 16 minutes last season at 15:52. It'll be interesting to see how close he can get to that mark in the early-going. Brentwood Academy's Cayden Durrough is another contender in this one. He was a key member of BA's state championship.
What will the Eagles look like with so many of their guys gone from last year? Matthew McMillan, Matthew Porter, George Payne and Eddie Lunn have all graduated. But this is still a talented group that's won five-straight state titles on the cross country course.
Cookeville junior Landri Wilcox leads the way in the girls race. She opened up in 18:36 a week ago and will be looking to continue her early-season racing with another good performance on Saturday morning. She'll be pushed by Leigh Walters (Fred J. Page) who makes her season debut after an outstanding track season in the spring.
We're excited that real racing is back.
Enjoy the meets this weekend, Tennessee!