Teams compete at the 2015 Auburn Tiger Classic (Photo by Tim Loreman)
Large crowds and cool weather could lead to an exciting final regular season
Saturday for many teams across the central Alabama region at Kiesel Park in
Auburn. The 20 th Annual edition of the Auburn Tiger Classic will be the largest in
the history of the meet. A total of 1010 athletes representing 44 schools are entered
for the meet Saturday starting at 8:00am. The teams will be traveling from as far as
Huntsville, AL from the north, Brewton, AL from the south, and Atlanta, GA from the
East. The meet features several of the top teams and runners in almost all of the
different AHSAA classifications. Admission to the meet will be $2.00 for all
spectators and a Soles4Souls shoe drive collecting shoes for victims of Hurricane
Matthew will be occurring. Please bring out an old pair of shoes to donate.
Collection boxes will be at the pavilion.
5A-7A Girls (8:00 Start Time):
The 5A-7A girls race will feature a tightly pack Auburn squad that has a best team
average of 19:16 during the 2016 season. Also, in the race is Pace Academy out of
Atlanta, GA. Pace Academy is raked 3 rd in the state of Georgia in the 3A division and
will be running up in the larger school division. This race feature 7 girls that have
run 20:00 of faster headed up by Harper McGowan (18:47) and Samantha Rogers
(19:00) of Auburn.
1A-4A Girls (8:40 start time):
The 1A-4A girls race features top 3A runner Allie Nelson of T.R. Miller with a
season best of 18:24 and the top 3 girls in 4A. Also, in the race is Presley Miles of
St. James who has a 4A top time of 18:27. Amaris Tyynismaa (4A #2 runner) leads
a strong Montgomery Catholic team with a season best of 18:44. Catholic will be
challenged by a tightly packed Randolph squad lead by Catherine Stucky and
West Limestone lead 4A #3 runner Cassidy Winter in what should be the the best
team competition of the day.
5A-7A Boys (9:20 start time):
The 5A-7A boys race features the largest field of the day with 20 teams. The race
should be lead by an impressive field of 5 runners who have previously broken
16:00 minutes for 5K this year. Ben Garner of Opelika (#1 ranked in Alabama- All
Divisions) leads the group with a blazing time of 15:28. Challenging him should be
Jack Rogers (7A #1 runner) and Josh Escoe (7A #7 runner), both of Auburn, who
have run 15:36 and 15:51 respectively. Also, in the in top 5 coming into the meet
are Silas Franklin of Smiths Station (15:55) and the #3 3A runner in Georgia Jack Douglas (15:50) of
Pace Academy looking to challenge as individual champion.
1A-4A Boys (10:00 state time):
The 1A-4A boys race could feature a tight battle up front between Grant Walker
(16:37) of Montgomery Catholic and Won Heo (16:46) of LAMP. Also, expected to
be running up front are Jake Maddox(16:53) of St. James and Matthew Estopinal
of Randolph (16:55). This boys race should feature a tight battle between
Montgomery and 4A rivals Catholic and LAMP.
JV Boys and Girls: 10:40
JH Girls: 11:10
JH Boys: 11:40
OTHER MEET COVERAGE