John Sample Invitational (Grove City invite) 2023

Website: https://sites.google.com/gcasdk12.org/john-sample-invitational/home

Saturday, October 7, 2023

GROVE CITY CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL

Coaches and Athletic Directors,

The Grove City Cross Country team is getting ready for another exciting year of competition. Let me introduce myself, my name is Ben English and I was hired as the new head coach at Grove City this year.  I have been with the program for the last 16 years as an assistant under long time head coach Mike Sample.  Once again, we will be hosting the 22nd rendition of our invitational in early October which is always held on the first Saturday in October.  We hope that you will be able to attend this year.

Our championship style course is setup with wide alleys and double white lines and pennants the length of the course..  It is one of the fastest in Western Pennsylvania with 80% grass and gradual hills and only one short steep hill in the second mile. The course is spectator friendly and both the mile and two-mile markers are near the start line where splits will be provided.  As a spectator or coach, you do not have to move very far to see the race or chart your runners. 

The date for our invitational is Saturday, October 7th and the start time is 9:00 AM. To register for this years invitational please go to www.runhigh.com to register your team by Thursday, October 5th.

Upon receipt of this letter, I would also ask that you send me an e-mail at the address below

stating whether you plan on attending, so that we may know how many teams we will need to

accommodate this year.

Thank you and good luck in the coming season!

Ben English

Head Cross Country Coach

Grove City High School

E-mail: ben.english@gcasdk12.org

Phone: 724-458-8040 ext. 1223

Cell: 724-372-3505

Events: 

8:45 a.m. Coaches Meeting - start line

8:55 a.m. National Anthem 

9:00 a.m. Elementary Girls Race - 1700 Meters (Unlimited Entries)

***Rolling start

Elementary Boys Race - 1700 Meters (Unlimited Entries)

Jr High Girls Race - 3100 meters (Unlimited entries)

Jr High Boys Race- 3100 meters (Unlimited entries)

JV Boys and Girls Race - Run together unlimited entries

Each school may enter one team - top 5 score, top 7 displace

Varsity Girls Race - 5000 Meters (Limited to 8 runners)

Each school may enter one team - top 5 score, top 7 displace

Varsity Boys Race - 5000 Meters (Limited to 8 runners)

Course: Open space and wooded areas for scenic racing, mostly flat with some rolling lengthy hills. Mile, 2 mile splits-loop to the start/finish line perfect for spectators. Very fast course.

Directions: From I-79-Exit at Grove City (exit 113), and follow Route 208 east toward Grove City. At Katies Korner Ice Cream Stand, take a left onto George Junior Road and then take 2nd right onto Ballpark Drive.

Restrooms: Facilities available

Past Results: Go to www.runhigh.com and look for the number and quality of teams attending our invite each year. It is always on the first Saturday in October and titled Grove City Invite.

Concession: Food Trucks will be providing food again this year.

T-Shirts: Caiazza Printing - T-shirts match the medals.

Timing: Event will be timed by Runners High using ChampionChip technology. Results will be posted on the internet at www.runhigh.com as soon as they are available.

Registration Deadline: All registrations will be done on-line via internet email at www.runhigh.com. Absolutely no entries accepted after 6 p.m. on October 5th unless verbal confirmation is given by Mark Courtney.

(All names must be registered before the deadline. No adding, switching or substituting of names on race day will be permitted.)

Entry Fee: 

Payment: Bring checks on race day made payable to: Grove City XC Boosters

Or mail to:

Grove City Cross Country Boosters

PO Box 281

Grove City, PA 16127

Awards: 

Contact Information

Race Director and Head Coach

Ben English ben.english@gcasdk12.org

Website: https://sites.google.com/gcasdk12.org/john-sample-invitational/home

Home Phone: (724) 458-8040 Ext. 1223

Cell Phone #724-372-3505

Runhigh.com

S. Mark Courtney e-mail smc@runhigh.com