Wendy\'s Invitational Set For Saturday

The Wendy\'s Cross Country Invitational is taking place this Saturday at McAlpine Park in Charlotte. McAlpine Park is also the host facility of the Footlocker South Regional Meet, that is set for Nov. 27.

According to meet directory Larry McAfee the entry list of 2350 athletes (as of Sept. 21) is about the third largest group ever.

Meet Schedule (tentative, subject to change)
Girls Open - 9 a.m.
Boys Open - 9:30 a.m.
Girls Invitational - 10 a.m.
Boys Invitational - 10:30 a.m.
Girls 3 - A - 11:15 a.m.
Boys 3-A - 11:45 a.m
Girls Individual - 12:15 p.m.
Boys Individual - 12:45 p.m.

2003 South Carolina Recap
In the boy\'s invitational race Dorman High School sealed a victory by five points over Chapel Hill. Spring Valley (8th in NTN SE Poll (9/17) - 04) finished fifth. Brian Raymond, a graduate of Spring Valley finished fourth in the race. Dorman\'s Ryan Jank, now running at UNC-Charlotte finished in the sixth spot. Reid Wilson, now a senior at Spring Valley placed ninth overall in the boys invitational race.

In the boy\'s open event Fort Mill and Ridge View finished one and two in the team scoring, 66 and 80, respectively. Northwestern HS rounded out the top six with Broome coming in seventh and Eastside finishing eighth in the team standings. Andrew White, a Fort Mill runner finished second in 16:23. Ridge View\'s Aubrey Darnell, now a senior placed ninth in 16:43 with former Ridge View runner Matt Strick rounding out the top ten.

In the girl\'s invitational event Northwestern placed second with 84 points to No. 1 team finisher Chapel Hill (82 points). Summerville and Spartanburg placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Angelina Blackmon, now a freshman at NC State, and former runner at Northwestern dominated the field last year with a 46 second victory (17:45). Sister and teammate Tiayonna Blackmon rounded out the top three in 18:36. Dorman\'s Stephanie Buffo and Kate Niehaus, a two-time Footlocker National Finalist for Spring Valley finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Entry lists are now available (as of Sept. 21) on the Wendy\'s Invitational meet page.

SCRunners.com site administrator John Olson and chief photographer Joe Fierova will be onsite at the Wendy\'s Invitational.

Directions to McAlpine Park:
North From I-85...take I-485 exit south towards Matthews (about 10-15 minute drive). Take Exit 51 west onto Independence Blvd. (US74). Turn right onto Independence Blvd and continue to the Sardis Road North intersection (4th traffic light). Turn left onto Sardis Road North and proceed to Monroe Road (2nd traffic light). Turn right onto Monroe Road and proceed to the entrance to McAlpine Creek Park (a little more than 1 mile on the right...immediately after passing under the Railroad overpass).

South From I-85...take Brookshire Freeway (NC Hwy. 16) east to Independence Blvd. Follow Independence Blvd. east (approx. 6 miles) until Village Lake Drive. Turn right onto Village Lake Drive. Travel on Village Lake Drive for less than a mile until it dead ends into Monroe Road. Turn left onto Monroe Road and McAlpine Creek Park will be less than a mile on your left (just before Railroad overpass).

South From I-77...take I-485 exit east towards Matthews (approx. 12 miles). Take Exit 52 to Matthews on Old Charlotte Hwy. (left turn at end of exit ramp) Travel west on Old Charlotte Hwy./Monroe Road for approximately 5 miles. McAlpine Creek Park is on the right immediately after passing under the Railroad overpass.

North from I-77...take Brookshire Freeway (i-277) exit east to Independence Blvd. Follow Independence Blvd. east (approx. 6 miles) until Village Lake Drive. Turn right onto Village Lake Drive. Travel on Village Lake Drive for less than a mile until it dead ends into Monroe Road. Turn left onto Monroe Road and McAlpine Creek Park will be less than a mile on your left (just before Railroad overpass).

South Carolina Meets Taking Place This Weekend
Citadel Invitational in Charleston
Pee Dee Classic in Florence