Aubrae Gunderson Invitational Preview

                                                                             Course & Strategy

 

After being rendered unusable last year by heavy rains and abuse at the hands a number of adventure races, the popular “F Course” at the Georgia International Horse Park has been restored and will once again play host to the Aubrae Gunderson invite. The “F Course” is fairly flat and fast for the first 4k. The final kilometer features a series of deceivingly difficult climbs and a fast downhill leading to an almost flat 300m drag race to the finish.

 

In the absence of the dominant Reilly Friedman of Galloway, expect the most competitive races at this year’s Aubrae Gunderson Invite to follow the same tactical pattern on display in last weekend’s Gwinnett County Championships. We are likely to see a tight pack near the front of the field through 2 miles. Finally, most races will be won by the individuals and teams that best survive the hills that dominate the third mile.

 

                                                                                 Boys White

 

Upperclassmen contenders including Abbas Abbkar of Clarkston, runner-up at Bob Blastow,  Lakeside DeKalb’s Davis Stockwell who has top 4 finishes at both Carrollton and Bob Blastow, and Justin Weegar Evans should all be in contention for the win. The race will also feature a number if talented underclassmen. Start that list with Rockdale's Dax Willette who finished 1st at the Winder-Barrow Invite and who logs more Miles at the Horse Park than anyone. Allatoona sophomore Colton Page who placed 2nd in the AAAA/AAAAA race at Carrollton will seek to build on his early season success. The two freshmen with the fastest season bests will also go head to head. Heritage's Jallah Galimah has already recorded wins at the Mid-State Championships and Run the Rock. Awet Fitwi of Clarkston blazed the trails at the Bob Blastow invite.

 

The team race may hold even more suspense as Lakeside DeKalb, Clarkston and Starr's Mill are four teams that have traded places at a number of early season meets. However, don't sleep on Archer in the Boy's team race. Almost every Archer athlete ran season best performances at the Gwinnett County Championships contested at the Horse Park last week. Perennial power Flowery Branch should not be far behind.

 

                                                                               Girls White Race

 

Aquinas's Shannon Fair will headline the White Division. Fair has already won the Ray Miller Invite, placed 4th at the Starr's Mill Invite and finished 3rd at NEGA. While Fair is strong favorite, Alyssa Hooker of Lakeside Evans is a contender for the individual title. Fast freshman Mary Valli of Starr's Mill will attempt to break into the top five. The best chance to play spoiler may belong Archer’s McKenzie Knudsen whose lifetime best performance came last week at the Horse Park.

 

Starrs Mill appears to have the best resume entering the meet. However, Dacula’s strong run at last week’s Gwinnett County meet makes them a contender to the team title. Woodland will also contend for top honors. Keep your eyes on the Falcons from Flowery Branch who have not run a flat 5k thus far.

 

                                                                                   Boys Red

 

Teams to watch in the boys Red division include prohibitive favorites North Atlanta. Winder, Apalachee, Shiloh, Duluth, Ola, and Greenbier should all be in the running for a team trophy. East Paulding’s Christian Nix seeks to lead the pack. Nix was 4th at Run the Rock and 3rd at Bob Blastow. Jeryck Wilson of Cedar Shoals is coming off a win at last week's Apalachee Wildcat Invite.

 

                                                                                  Girls Red

 

Look to Winder's Micah Weathers, Lakside-DeKalb’s Morgan Mihalis, and East Paulding’s Allyssa Sheffield to set the pace in the Girls Red division. Weathers won the Region 8-AAAAA title at the Horse Park in 2013. Richmond Hill's Rachel Hammesfahr should not be overlooked by anyone hoping to claim the individual title. Watch out for a competitive four-way battle in for the team title between Lakeside-Dekalb, Richmond Hill, Winder, and East Paulding.

 

                                                                                Boys Blue

 

Michael Hans of Oconee County has been constituently competitive with strong finishes at Berry, Carrollton, and NEGA. Chamblee’s Abraham Araya has the fastest average finish of anyone in the Blue race. Austin Von Kutzlieben of Walnut Grove was the 2013 Walton County Champion and should not be overlooked in this race. Oconee County is the favorite to win the team title. Grady, Galloway, Spalding, Chamblee, and Locust Grove each have a chance at finding their way into trophy contention.

                                                                               Blue Girls

 

Madison Allie of Locust will toe the line with best performance of anyone in the field this season. Allie’s biggest challenge may come from Grace Griffith of Grady. Five teams start the day with a legitimate shot at winning the Girls Blue division. George Walton Academy may hold a slight edge over Oconee County, Galloway, Grady, and Locust Grove.

 

Schedule:

 

8:00 AM HS Red Boys Varsity (10 runners) - AAAAA/AAAAAA

8:25 AM HS Red Girls Varsity (10 runners) - AAAAA/AAAAAA

8:50 AM HS White Boys Varsity (10 runners) the most competitive races

9:15 AM HS White Girls Varsity (10 runners) the most competitive races

9:40 AM HS Blue Boys Varsity (10 runners) - A/AA/AAA/AAAA

10:05 AM HS Blue Girls Varsity (10 runners) - A/AA/AAA/AAAA

10:30 AM HS Boys JV (Unlimited)*

10:55 AM HS Girls JV (Unlimited)*

11:40 AM Middle School Boys* (Unlimited entries - 2 miles)

12:00 NOON Middle School Girls* (Unlimited entries - 2 miles)