31st Annual Westover Invitational
October has arrived in Southwest Georgia and with it the 31st Annual Westover Invitational. A cool morning is in the forecast as 36 teams will toe the line to compete in one of the oldest cross country invitationals in Georgia. Started in 1982 the Westover Invitational has been a traditional race held in October. Both Girls & Boys Varsity races are shaping up to be very competitive races. Right now there are over 1500 runners registered for the event. Here is a preview of what to expect this Saturday.
The Girls Team Title will come down to 3 Teams on Saturday. Blessed Trinity (#1 in Class 3A) & Lowndes (#8 All Class & #7 in Class 6A) look to be the favorites but don't count out last year's champion North Gwinnett. Lovett (#3 in Class 2A) , Veterans (#7 in Class 3A), & Pace Academy (#9 in Private Class 1A) will make their presence known. In the individual race, Anna Gandolfo of Blessed Trinity will be going toe to toe with 2 southern runners in Megan Asadian of Houston County & Megan Charbeneau of Lowndes. Abby Booth of Perry, Natalie Kile of Blessed Trinity, & Ericka Taylor of Westover will look to challenge these ladies for the title of individual champion.
The Boys Team Title will showcase a highly constested debate between Class 4A's #2 & #3 Teams. Perry (#2 in Class 4A) has had an extraordinary season so far winning at Mid-State, Warner Robins, Carrollton & Rock Ranch. They look to add the Westover Invitational to their growing list of accomplishments. Wayne County (#3 in Class 4A) led by one of the best runners in Class 4A in Daniel Broadhead, looks to stop that momentum. North Gwinnett will be right up in the middle of this team title race looking to best these two on Saturday. Blessed Trinity (#6 in Class 3A) & Lovett (#5 in Class 2A) will also be right there challenging. In the individual race, Andres Littig of North Gwinnett, Abraham Perez of Northside Columbus, Jimmy Mehserle of Perry, & Josh Rogers of Pace Academy look to challenge Daniel Broadhead for the title of champion. Don't forget about Hakeem Mustafaa of Shaw. He finished 5th last season and is the highest returning finisher from last year's race as he ran 15:42 as a freshman.
Harley Calhoun
Westover Athletic Director
Cross Country and Track & Field Coach