Tampa’s national XC meet ‘is on’

Posted Sep 23, 2009 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 23, 2009 at 08:08 PM

The inaugural TFC National Open & Youth Cross Country Championships, slated for Nov. 28 on the campus of the University of South Florida, “is on,” meet director Pete Mirones announced Wednesday.

Mirones said the final hurdle—approval from USF athletic department officials—was cleared Wednesday when Bulls senior associate athletic director Barry Clements gave his OK for the meet.

“This is very exciting,” said Mirones, a former cross country and track coach at King, Gaither and Tampa Catholic. “It’s coming together quickly and I think with USF’s help, we’re going to offer a quality event for the kids.”

So far, teams and individuals from 15 states in eight age divisions are slated to compete in the event. The races range from a 1-kilometer run for 6-under boys and girls to 5k for intermediate (ages 15-16), young (17-18) and high school elite athletes. The event will be sanctioned by USA Track and Field, Mirones said.

Although the meet comes on the same date as several other major youth or prep cross country meets in the United States—including the Foot Locker and Nike Team National regionals—Mirones said he is hoping to attract runners who either did not wish to travel as far for a late-season meet or are not yet ready for that level of competition.

For more information on the meet, contact Mirones via E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)