Andrew Hauser Highlights Fast Field Set For Memphis Twilight

* Rock Bridge senior Andrew Hauser is the top seed in a huge field this weekend in Memphis, TN.

Photo Credit: Shawn Fowler/MileSplit

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For a lot of teams local to the "Blues City," the City Auto Memphis Twilight XC Classic signals the start cross country season -- for both the city and the region.

A total of 119 schools are gearing up for a night of racing at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. 

As it stands, over 2,200 athletes from eight different states will toe the line this Saturday, from the middle school ranks to the collegiate.

Nearly each and every one of them making their season debut.

THE TOP PERFORMERS TO WATCH 

    

Girls Athletes 

Although Nolensville (TN) will be in attendance, their frontrunner and top dog Claire Stegall will not be stepping up to the line Saturday evening. If Stegall was entered, signs would point to her being the commanding force of the field. However, there are a few girls who could very likely take her place and dictate how the race plays out. 

Mae Walker, Rock Bridge (MO): The Missouri athlete sports one of fastest returning times in Missouri, and for only a sophomore her potential is through the roof. Despite only having a year of high school running under her belt, Walker has had large meet experience already and isn't someone who's afraid to take the lead early on. 

Meriel Rowland, Hutchison (TN) & Zoe Marsh, Houston (TN): The Tennessee pair are the top locals ready to roll. Rowland ran under 18 minutes five straight times to close out her junior year, lowering her PR to 18:23 in October. Marsh ran in the eighteen-minute range four times last fall, with her PR being 18:29. 

Emma Wade, Cedar Park Vista Ridge (TX): She's coming off a superb track season, so it seems she's more than ready to keep that momentum on the grass. Her season best as a sophomore was 18:32, but if her 4:48 and 10:38 in the 1,600m and 3,200m this spring are any indication of her recent fitness, I think we'll be in for a show.

Boys Athletes

Andrew Hauser, Rock Bridge (MO): For the boys, there are more than a few names to keep an eye on, but Rock Bridge's Andrew Hauser is the main event. Hauser is coming off a track season that saw him run 4:11 and 8:58 for the 1600m and 3200m, and for someone who's already broken fifteen three separate times, he's only going to get faster.  

Ben Chance, Bowling Green (MO): He had a near perfect season as a junior, winning his first five meets and ending the year with three consecutive runner-up finishes. Sprinkled in with his win-streak was a speedy 15:25 in Kingdom City, Missouri, which currently stands as his PR. 

Joseph Bariola, Lakeside (AR): He'll be a name to remember, thanks to his 4:09 and 9:06 1600m and 3200m he dropped this spring. Add that to the fact he'd already run under sixteen minutes last fall six out of his seven races, and you've got yourself yet another contender.

Brendan Nagle, John Hardin (KY): One of the few athletes on this list to already have multiple races under his belt. He's already run 15:23 and 15:57 in the August heat and we're sure a quick field and less heat should only help his racing. 

Andrew Brown & Taylor Brown, Tupelo (MS): The Mississippi-based frontman will be in the mix as well, each sporting a 15:38 and 16:05 PR from last fall. The Golden Wave will be right in the thick of the team battle, thanks to their up-front duo. 

TOP TEAMS TO WATCH

       

Huntsville (AL): They might just be the team to beat. Senior Sarah Cobb leads the way for the Panthers, as a tough pack of four between 19:48-19:59 aim to stay as close to her as possible. With a pack time of 37 seconds and a No. 1 who has ran in the 18:30s before, it won't be easy for any competitor to stand in their way. 

Germantown Houston (TN): Let's just pause for a second. Houston are the defending champions from last year's edition and Marsh and company certainly won't go down without a fight. 

Rock Bridge (MO): Hauser and Rock Bridge are in it to win it themselves, and their front trio will certainly help their case, with all three boys having run 16:10 or faster.

Russellville (AR): Thanks to a sub-fifty-five second pack time, the Cyclones are in shape for a podium finish as well.

Bossier City Parkway (LA): This Louisiana boys program has the pieces to potentially find themselves on the podium. 

RECORDS WATCH

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Both high school course records haven't been touched in over ten years and each are in dire need of a new owner. The boys' record dates back to 2007 when Brentwood (TN) legend Sean Keveren ran 15:13.48, which to this day is still five seconds faster than any other ran on the course since.

Not too far from home, Eureka (MO) star Hannah Long ran 17:35.07 in 2013 to break a record that had stood for the previous seven years. Kevern's record has had it's fair share of boys take a swing at it, but no one has gone sub-15:20 in an attempt since 2010. But never say never.

Long's record is a bit safer. Only one athlete has dipped under 18:00 since the record came into Long's possession. 

WHAT TO KNOW

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Here are a few things to know if you're planning on watching the meet in-person or virtual. The meet takes place at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, TN, and the first race's gun goes off at 5:30 p.m. Parking for each car will also cost $10.

MORE INFORMATION

For those watching from home, you can follow along the action with live results here, provided by AllTrax Timing.