CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman and Cullman Christian will get one more opportunity to race before the postseason begins when the Bearcats and Lions compete in separate invitationals Thursday.
Cullman will travel to Scottsboro for the Last Chance Invitational at the John R. Esslinger Trail of Champions. Cullman Christian will run at the seventh annual Oakville XC Invitational at Oakville Indian Mounds Park in Moulton.
Both meets come one week before AHSAA sectional competition Oct. 29.
Cullman at Last Chance Invitational
The Bearcats will test themselves against a deep 27-team field that includes Huntsville, Oak Mountain, Vestavia Hills, Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Bob Jones, Hazel Green and Thompson.
Henry Crocker leads Cullman’s boys entry list with a 15 minute, 53.20 second seed mark. Avin Dempsey is listed at 16:12.39, Benjamin Stidham at 16:19.20, Thatcher Lucas at 16:40.24, Connor Robinson at 16:43.50 and Mason Gobble at 16:49.72.
That group gives the Bearcats six runners seeded under 17 minutes entering one of the strongest fields they have faced this season. Dawson Helton is next on the list at 17:07.59, while Alston Herrod, Graeme Greenlee, Walker Helton, Wade Blackmon, Vincent Campanella, Ayden Rabending and Brooks Bentley are also entered for Cullman.
The Bearcats’ girls bring similar depth to Scottsboro.
Mabry Free owns Cullman’s top seed mark at 18:43.36. Madeline Stidham is listed at 19:32.79, Addison Vogelaar at 19:44.80 and Khloe Nalley at 20:34.33. Tinley Alldredge, Aubree Lawrence, Katie Richter, Victoria Waldrop, Sophie Robinson and Avery Laney are also among Cullman’s entries.
The meet gives Cullman a final competitive tuneup before the Bearcats travel to Decatur for the Class 5A Section 5 meet at Point Mallard Park on Oct. 29. State championship berths will be on the line there.
Cullman Christian at Oakville XC Invitational
Cullman Christian will face a 21-team field at one of Alabama’s most familiar championship venues. The varsity girls race is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the varsity boys race will follow at 3:30 p.m.
The Lions come into the meet five days after competing at the Randolph Invitational in Huntsville.
Calub Pruitt led Cullman Christian’s boys there with a time of 19:54.41, finishing one spot ahead of teammate Chasen Hampton, who crossed in 19:55.36. Cutter Gibbs finished in 21:25.95, Gavin Stidham recorded a 23:03.42 and Caleb Randolph posted a 23:52.17 as the Lions placed 16th as a team.
Elijah Rutherford, Landon Jones and Colton Olinger also competed for Cullman Christian at Randolph.
Meribelle Brock paced the Lady Lions with a 26:40.81, followed by Arden Brock at 28:10.73 and Aubrie Claire Rigsby at 29:32.15.
Thursday’s meet gives Cullman Christian a short turnaround and another opportunity to sharpen its lineup before the postseason. It also brings the Lions back to the Oakville venue that will host the AHSAA State Cross Country Championships on Nov. 7.
Cullman Christian will join St. Bernard at the Private School Single A Section 3 meet Oct. 29 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. The top four teams and the top six individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to the state meet.
