Seeded Boys Race - 2018
The entries are in and the Murray Invitational is set to be one of the biggest meets of the year. The seeded races for both boys and girls are going to be deep this year featuring 7 nationally ranked teams and individuals along with more than half of the ranked team and individuals in our State MileSplit50 rankings. So let's break down the field and see exactly how much talent we have here.
Boys Race
The Boys race will be a great team Battle between Davis (21st Nationally), Lone Peak (24th Nationally), and Farmington (25th Nationally). It has been a long time since Utah has had so many teams in the top 25 and Friday, we will be able to see almost all of them face off. Corner Canyon is registered but will not be racing their varsity team. We will see them next week at BYU.
On the Individual side of things, the boys will be led by Stetson Moss (11th nationally) of Thunder Ridge Idaho and Thomas Boyden (18th Nationally) of Skyline. Thomas has gone undefeated so far this season winning the Highland Invitational and the Westlake Grass Relays. Moss will be traveling down to Utah after winning his season opener at the Scout Mountain Cross where he won in a time of 15:28 for a 5k.
Girls Race
The Team side of things will be led by Lone Peak (16th Nationally) who are the reigning two time champions at this meet. This will be Lone Peak's first big meet of the season and they'll get a good look at other teams that will be challenging them at State and NXR. The Springville Girls will also be in this field but without four of their top five runners. Springville runs deep though so don't count them out of a podium spot just yet. Every time the Lady Red Devils have raced, their 9th runner has always finished over any other teams 5th runner. Filling out the rest of the field will be the Farmington girls who are coming off their big win from the Weber State XC Invitational and will be looking to build some momentum going forward. Traveling up from St. George will be the South's best Desert Hills and Pine View who will add some new faces for these northern schools to face off against.
On the Individual side, Carlee Hansen of Woods Cross comes in as the heavy race favorite and defending champion. The 4:42 miler has been on a tear leading races with ease and will be looking to do the same thing this Friday. You'll also be seeing Morgan Jensen of Alta who has been making her self more know these past two weeks winning her Pre-Regionals and owning the fastest time at the Westlake Grass Relays OVER Carlee Hansen. Hansen and Jensen weren't in the same field so it will be fun to see these two race against each other for the first time this season. We've also got Eliza Arrington of Lone Peak and Emma Thornley of Layton who could be some dark horses for that individual title.
Overall Murray will definitely be a meet you'll want to follow. There are sure to be loads of nationally elite performances and maybe some upsets. You never know with a field this big but be sure to visit our site for full meet coverage.
Full State MileSplit50 Teams & Individuals Who Are Registered
Boys Individuals Girls Individuals
1.) Thomas Boyden (Skyline) 1.) Carlee Hansen (Woods Cross)
6.). Creed Thompson (Skyridge) 2.) Morgan Jensen (Alta)
11.) Carson Coleman (Davis) 4.) Eliza Arrington (Lone Peak)
12.) Dalton Mortensen (Bountiful) 5.) Emma Thornley (Layton)
13.) Jalen Anderton (Farmington) 6.) Reagan Gardner (Lone Peak)
7.) Eliza Mason (Lone Peak)
9.) Jessica Hill (Pine View)
10.) Hope Preston (Davis)
13.) Elisabeth Ferrell (Farmington)
14.) Kylah Ricks (Grand County)
Boys Teams Girls Teams
2.) Davis 1.) Lone Peak
3.) Farmington 2.) Springville
6.) Lone Peak 3.) Farmington
7.) Skyridge 4.) Desert Hills
10.) Skyline 5.) Pine View
9.) Layton