Cyclones cross country team gets prestigious invite

Published 10:43 am Tuesday, June 20, 2023

STAR CORRESPONDENT

It was a special season for the Elizabethton Cyclone cross country team last year as the team worked their way to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 TSSAA Cross Country event.

Little did the team know what that finish would bring their way as the team’s accomplishment raised the eyebrows of the committee for the prestigious Woodbridge Classic in Irvine, California, as the team recently received an invitation to compete in the 42nd Woodbridge Classic on Friday, September 15, 2023.

“The Woodbridge Classic reached out to us to see if we would be interested in participating in their 42nd annual event,” said Cyclone cross country coach Mark Newman. “It’s huge for this program as this event is not for everyone as it is one of those meets that require an invitation to participate. We talked to the parents at the end of May and now we are at the point of trying to raise funds for around 11 to 12 athletes and a coach to go. “

Newman said that it will take somewhere around $12 to $15,000 to cover the cost for everyone to go which will cover anything from airfare, food, lodging, and transportation when they arrive in California.

“I really don’t know how many of these kids have even been out of the state, but this is the opportunity for them to go as far west as one can with having to get on a boat to go farther,” said Newman. “It’s huge for the program to get that caliber of opportunity to race against the best of the best.”

The website for the event stated, “The meet brings together the top teams and individuals from multiple states for the ultimate in early-season competition.  Year after year, this meet consistently draws many of the top ranked teams and individuals in California and the Nation.”

The Cyclones have been placed in the White division and will be squaring off against schools including Bishop Montgomery from Torrance, CA; Basalt, CO; Christian Brothers from Sacramento, CA; and Franklin from Seattle, Washington. A complete list of schools in Elizabethton’s division can be found on the events web page.

Newman knows with the kind of exposure this event brings, that when the Cyclones return back to action it will be a completely different feel.

“The kids will have a bullseye on their back in all the meets they compete in when they return,” said Newman. “They will turn from being the huntee to the hunted.”

Donations can be made for the Cyclones by contacting Elizabethton High School Athletic Director Forrest Holt at forrest.holt@ecschools.net. Checks can be made out to Elizabethton High School and in the memo line, please write Cross Country Team.