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The Fort Zumwalt North Twilight Invitational made waves in it's inaugural run last season, as the course at Pheasant Run Golf Course proved to be incredibly fast. The course has seen a slight tweak, as they had to make last second changes to the course last year due to some standing water. It'll likely still be very quick, but we'll have to find out Saturday!
Individuals to Watch
There are some very fast returning girls in this meet, but due to the race being in waves due to COVID-19, they won't necessarily all be racing each other. Kylie Goldfarb (John Burroughs) has the fastest returning time in the meet with an 18:54 she ran at State last season. She'll square off against Marisa Jacknewitz (Nerinx Hall) in the third wave who has personal best of 18:55 from Louisville last year.
All-State teammates Sarah Russom and Mack Flynn from Francis Howell are both in wave two together, and return with seasons bests from the state meet of 18:56 and 19:03 respectively. They'll look to push each other as they are a minute faster than the next closest returner in wave two.
Other athletes to watch include Madelyn Gray (Ft Zumwalt South) who has ran 19:10 in wave one, Marie Prindiville (Nerinx Hall) who has ran 19:21 and is in wave three, Madilyn Moore (Timberland) at 19:22 in wave three, and Kayla Vogelsang (DeSoto) at 19:26 in wave one.
The Boys race will feature a lot of talent looking to make the next step this season. Cullen Krieg (Festus) as the fastest returning time with a 15:59 he ran as a freshman at state last year and he'll be in wave two. Competing with him in wave two will be Herculaneum's Cody Glisson who has ran 16:08, and Francis Howell's Nick Cimmarusti at 16:14.
Bennett Boatman (Ft. Zumwalt West) is the top returner in wave one with a 16:09. He'll match up with Farmington's Collin Holifield and Jackson's Evan Stephens who have ran 16:30 and 16:31 respectively.
The top returner in wave three is Firaol Ahmed (Northwest) who comes in with a time of 16:25, and he'll be racing Akash Mallady (John Burroughs) who has ran 16:27, and Jonah McHaffie and Trevor Peimann of Timberland who have ran 16:39 and 16:41 respectively.
Teams to Watch
There are a few ranked teams squaring off in the girls team race (which will be merged for scores after all the running is completed). Class 5 number nine Nerinx Hall will toe the line for the first time and look for a strong finish, and they'll match up against Class 3 number one John Burroughs in wave three.
In wave two Class 5 number ten Francis Howell will match up against a couple ranked teams from Class 3 & 4. Class 4 number ten Festus will battle with them in that wave, and Class 3 number three Herculaneum will also be in wave three and look to start their season strong. Class 4 number four Farmington will also feature, but in wave one.
Class 4 Number one Festus will be strong favorties to win the meet and are joined by a trio of other ranked teams from Class 3. Second ranked Lutheran (St. Charles), fourth ranked Herculaneum, and eighth ranked John Burroughs will all be in the race with all by Burroughs in wave two, and Burroughs in wave three.