Starting in the south and moving north the weekend looks like this;
* SJ Shootout (GCC, Sewell) - This meet is a lot of fun with a great atmosphere, a fast course and the "gimmick" races pitting #s 5-6-7 runners in 1 race, 3-4s in another and the # 1&2 racers in the feature race. This meet also includes Middle School events. Don't forget to grab a Cow Bell.
* New Balance Cougar Invitational (Bucks Mill Pk., Colts Neck) - A great meet on a fast course, the Cougar Invite has been a showcase for future FL finalists for the lasr few years. CN coach, Jim Schlentz always puts together good fields for this meet and this year is no different.(Boys #9 Mendham, Girls #3 TRN, Girls #9 Colts Neck).
Early Leaders at the 2006 Cougar Invitational
* Old Bridge Class Meet (Thompson Park, Jamesburg) - This meet will give Central Jersey schools an early look at their Sectional course. A Class Race format gives teams some latitude in running a maximum number of athletes and clear up top 7 questions before Shore Coaches and Manhattan
Starting Line @ Thompson Pk. Site of the
Old Bridge Class Meet
Stewart Invitational (Warinanco Pk., Elizabeth) - Along with the Passaic Coaches Meet, the Stewart is one of the "Granddaddies" on this week's schedule. Run on the venerable Warinanco Pk. layout, this year's edition will see some hot action as the schools in the North II section will get another trip over the course. A race to watch here is in the Girls A event where an up and coming North Hunterdon squad will take on Hunterdon Central, who ran well at the Briarwood meet last week, and Roxbury led by Mary Migton.
Passaic County Coaches Invitational (Garett Mtn., W. Patterson) - Due to construction, there are some minor changes to the course here. We are told that it now measures a true 5000m. This meet always produces excellent early esults over the North I championship course.
NB Ocean State Invitational (Goddard Park, Warwick RI) - Last year this race was won by Cherokee's Alex Yersak with Cherokee taking 3rd as a team. The #8 ranked Chiefs return to Warwick looking for the team title this year.