Purdue Invitational Preview
By: Stephen Bain
Boys Coordinator
August 27, 2009
This week is not the biggest weekend for major invitationals. Just looking at the state schedule there are 11 different races going on this Saturday, and it is safe to say that many meets are not on this schedule.
With that, I began searching for a meet that would be interesting for me to see the results of. That brought me to the brand new Purdue Invitational, which will be on the challenging Purdue cross country course. West Lafayette is the only ranked team running at this meet, but many of these other teams are sitting on the fringe of being ranked and most likely will be pending on the results of this invitational. This is why it will be interesting for me to see the results.
Just take a look at how the team race looks on paper:
Ben Davis, Boone Grove, Cathedral, Crown Point, Harrison, Michigan City, Pioneer SB St. Joseph’s, Southport, #24 West Lafayette
Question to be answered:
How much did the Hokum Karem tell us?
Ben Davis generated a lot of talk about their team after their performance at the Plainfield Hokum Karem last weekend. They won with an impressive 16 points over a Cathedral team, but more importantly the highly ranked Noblesville squad. Obviously how to make up 2x3xmile teams is completely different than the 7 man varsity line up we normally see, but it must be taken into some consideration. Hopefully this race can tell us how much these results were worth.
A quick look at the Top Teams:
#24 West Lafayette – This squad outscored #17 Westfield in a 7 way meet, who many have said is under-rated. The Red Devils have another opportunity to show that they deserve to move up even farther in next week’s rankings.
Ben Davis – No breaks between the miles this week, but a team that averages roughly 5:00 pace is worth noting. This could be one of the most surprising teams this year if they continue their success
Cathedral – Everybody knows they have one of the best 1-2 punches in the state in O’Herren and Ricker. However, they will be in a solid field with some good packs to see how the rest of their team can match up.
Crown Point – This team is ranked in the uncomfortable #6 position in the New Prairie Semi State. They will look to solidify or improve from this position. They have some solid front runners, but not solid enough to not have a good pack to support them. They won their own invitational, but will have better competition this weekend.
South Bend St. Joseph’s– Ranked #7 in the New Haven Semi State, they are looking to take advantage of a wide open year. They already won one invitational and I’m sure would like to be represented well here.
Race team favorite: West Lafayette
Team that may surprise: Cathedral
A look at the front of the race:
Traishaun Johnson (12) – Ben Davis [FC #9]
James Ricker (12) – Cathedral [FC #20]
Hale O’Herren (12) – Cathedral
Mike Fauser (12) – Boone Grove [NP #5]
Julian Jimenez (12) – West Lafayette [NP #9]
Zane Cooperider (11) – West Lafayette [NP #14]
Michael Bradley (12) – SB St. Joseph’s [NH #17]
Lance Nelson (12) – Southport
Chris Shellenberger (12) – Crown Point
It will be interesting to see some of these guys go against the already well established Cathedral front runners. Michael Fauser may impress some and put himself on the map this week.