Athletes hold up their t-shirts in anticipation of an exchange. Photo by Alan Versaw.
The preliminary festivities are now complete at Nike Cross Southwest.
The course run-through revealed a course a little heavily soaked down in spots to control dust, but which should be very runnable by tomorrow morning (photo by Robert Moen).
It took a half-hour, or more, to negotiate all the exchanges of t-shirts at the annual exchange. Once again, American Fork t-shirts seemed to be going at a premium rate.
And, a pasta dinner which featured Shelby Houlihan as the guest speaker was well attended. Athletes left well-fed, but hungry just the same for what tomorrow will bring.
Tomorrow, of course, is all about racing. Between 25 and 30 teams boys and girls will toe the starting line with the possibility of filling two, and possibly a third as an at-large bid, Nike Cross Nationals slots on the line. Five more individual qualifier spots await those who can find the finish line fastest.
This year, there will also be the crowning of a small-school regional champion team for both boys and girls. Several teams are lined up for that honor as well, with the Southwest region being the first region to so recognize teams from smaller schools.
It promises to be an exciting day full of cross country madness and mayhem.