FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           
Date:  September 20, 2011

CONTACT:   (Bob Firman Invitational XC) Ryan Canning (208) 353.8983

BOB FIRMAN XC Hosts Nations Top Prep Runners

Boise, ID – The 37^th annual Bob Firman Invitational presented by United Dairymen of Idaho solidifies its reputation as one of the nation’s premier high school cross country races on Saturday, September 24.  Run at Eagle Island State Park, the Bob Firman Inviational will be host to nearly 3600 athletes competing in 16 races, including 2970 high school runners representing 112 schools and 11 states.  The Bob Firman meet also offers collegiate and middle school sections with over 600 athletes combined.

The Bob Firman Invitational acts as the pre-regional meet for the Nike Cross Northwest Championships, meaning the meet and course are no strangers to talented teams and fast times.  This year, the Boys Elite field looks to be one of the deepest assembled in the nation with 7 of the top 25 teams (based on ESPNRise FAB50 team rankings) arriving in Boise for a mid-season showdown.  The Woodlands, defending Texas state champions, is the highest ranked among the group at US#8.  Davis (UT), 2010 Nike Cross SW runner-up, is an annual fixture at the Bob Firman meet, coming in ranked US#9.  The 2010 Nike Cross Nationals Champion, Arcadia (CA), comes to Boise as US#11 but riding a very fast and impressive showing at the Woodbridge Invitational.  North Central (WA), another annual attendee is the defending Nike Cross NW Champion and current US#12.  Mountain View (UT) US#19, Trabuco Hills (CA) US#21, Rancho Cucamonga (CA) US#24 along with Monsignor Farrell (NY) NYC#1/NY#9, Orem (UT) SW#9 and NW bubble teams Couer d’Alene (ID) and Eagle (ID) solidify the deep field.  Add to the mix US#18 Dallin Farnsworth (Highland – Pocatello, ID), the defending Bob Firman Invitational individual champion, and the battle in the lead pack should produce some very fast times.

Katie Knight of North Central (WA) headlines the Elite Girls race.  The defending Bob Firman individual champion, Nike Cross NW individual champion and course record holder, Knight looks to improve her US#6 individual ranking with a solid performance.  Ogden (UT) US#13/SW#3 will be challenged by Skyline (UT) SW#6 and bubble teams from Davis (UT), Mountain Crest (UT), Mountain View (UT), Park City (UT), Timpanogos (UT) and Bishop Kelly (ID).

The Bob Firman Invitational will be showing the entire meet live via webcast.  Visit www.BobFirmanXC.org for more meet info and viewing links (posted on race day).

Bob Firman Invitational presented by United Dairymen of Idaho:
Time Schedule
Collegiate Men 8K 8:50
Collegiate Women 5K 9:25
DII Varsity Boys 5K 10:00
DI Varsity Boys 5K 10:30
Elite Varsity Girls 5K 11:00
Elite Varsity Boys 5K 11:30
DII Varsity Girls 5K 12:00
DI Varsity Girls 5K 12:35
JV Boys Section 1 - 5K 1:10
JV Boys Section 2 - 5K 1:40
JV Girls Section 1 - 5K 2:10
JV Girls Section 2 - 5K 2:50
9^th Grade Boys 5K 3:30
9^th Grade Girls 5K 4:00
Middle School Boys (6^th-8^th grade) 3K 4:40
Middle School Girls (6^th-8^th grade) 3K 5:00

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