XC: 'Pre-Season Cross Country Invitational' set for Aug. 18 at Hebron

From ohsaa.org

The OHSAA has announced it will be hosting the Preseason Cross Country Invitational on Aug. 18 at National Trail Raceway in Hebron – the site of the OHSAA state championships.

This preseason invite is the only time schools will be able to compete on the state course prior to the 2012 state championship in November. Per OHSAA Board of Directors action, it is the only event in which schools may participate on that date prior to Aug. 20, the “normal” start date for competition.

All member high schools that have cross country student-athletes are eligible to participate in this event. Space is limited, however, and registration for the event is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the capacity of the event has been reached, any remaining schools will be placed on a waiting list after the deadline of May 10.

There will be two race formats for both boys and girls competition: scored team races and open races. Schools may enter a maximum of 10 runners in each race. Schools with less than five runners may enter the scored team races as individual competitors or the open race which is not team scored.

Total number of competitors from each school may not exceed 40 (20 boys and 20 girls). Approximately 250 runners will be the maximum number in each race. The number of registrations will determine how many races will be established.

The goal is to make the competition as fair as possible, so races will be established with schools of similar enrollment. Race sections will be added as meet entry dictates and will be determined after the May 10 deadline. The divisional format established by OHSAA for tournament purposes may not necessarily be used to determine the race in which a school will participate.