Midwest Meet of Champions offers Big Challenge for Midland

The 2010 Midwest Meet of Champions is loaded with many of the top teams and individuals throughout Ohio and surrounding states!  Each of the past 2 years the team champions at the MMOC have gone on to win big school state titles. Magnificat and St Ignatius won titles in 2009 and are back this year to challenge for the title.  The MMOC course is flat and very spectator friendly and we could see some blazing times on October 2nd at Hilliard Darby High School!

Defending champion St Ignatius is led by John Sweeney.  They are currently ranked #4 in Ohio but will likely encounter several squads at the MMOC that will make it very difficult to repeat.  Medina has a great pack. They are ranked #2 and have been very impressive all season!  

Perennial powers #5 Toledo St John's Jesuit (led by Greg Turissini) and #6 Cincinnati LaSalle (led by Travis Hawes) are very strong this year. West Virginia's #1 team - Cabell Midland is led by Jacob Burcham.  His 15:19 5K is among the top prep times in the nation for sophomores!  #7 Mason is led by 2-time MMOC champion Zach Wills.  He holds the course record of 15:02 and is one of the favorites to win on Saturday.  #9 Dublin Coffman has raced very well this fall.  #11 Reynoldsburg has the fastest front runners in Ohio with 3 guys at 15:45 or better!  

​Add in teams from Hudson (#12), Akron St Vincent-St Mary (#1 in D2), Lakota West (#17), New Albany (#18), Unioto (#5 D2), Sylvania Northview (#23), Anderson, Brunswick, Westerville Central, Revere, Olentangy Liberty, Hilliard Bradley, Hilliard Darby, Russia, Dover, Van Wert, Warren and North Oldham (KY) you can see why this meet is so competitive.

At least 20 guys have run sub 16 this season and we could see some very quick times this week!  Wills has been the heavy favorite each of the past 2 years and has to be considered the favorite having won 2 cross country titles and a pair of state track titles in his fabulous prep career.  It will not be easy to win a 3rd MMOC title for Zach.

Seniors Josh Sabo (Revere) and Mike Wallace (Sylvania Northview) will be in the lead pack along with several young runners.  Look for Adrian Ross (Unioto), Tsehaye Hiluf (Reynoldsburg) and Jacob Burcham (Cabel Midland) to be near the leaders as well.  The biggest challenge to Wills will likely come from fast rising star Jordan Redd (Fairborn) who has posted some great times without losing a race this season.

Also, check out the following article from Milesplit.com http://usa.milesplit.com/articles/51751

Directions to Midwest Meet of Champions course click Here.

Besides 13 runners competing in the Midwest Meet of Champions, the rest of Midland runners will be competing on Thursday in the George Washington Invitational at Meadow Park. The course is rolling and un-staple footing, so fast times are not ideal.