MSTCA Coaches Invitational 2011

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 2 Varsity Girls race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 2 Varsity Boys race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 2 Sophomore Girls race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 2 Freshman Girls race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 2 Freshman Boys race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 1 Varsity Girls race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 1 Varsity Boys race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 1 Sophomore Girls race.

John Keklak was on-site at the MSTCA Coaches Invitational and captured hundreds of photos from each level.    

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Sophomore Boys race.

So how windy did the Division 1 Junior/Senior race get at yesterday’s Coaches Cross Country Invitational on the wide open Wrentham Developmental Center layout? After Oliver Ames’ Drew Beck took over the lead through an opening 4:52 mile, he tried to draft off the lead vehicle. The... (via Boston Herald)

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 1 Freshman Boys race.

2011 MSTCA Coaches Invitational Division 1 Freshman Girls race.

As expected, the unexpected happened on the course.  Most teams rested the majority of their top runners in preparation for next week’s division championships, but a few marquee names laced it up and raced hard.  Team scores were not recorded; so many teams used the opportunity to challenge their young athletes in a varsity race with the hope of finding a 6th or 7th runner that could withstand the rigors of the post season.  Several delivered, even with the large gaps that were created early on by some of the state’s elite.

The MSTCA Coaches Invitational always presents an interesting set of race tactics for the teams involved.  For some, it's the last race of the year after dreams of the post season were dashed at their league finals.  For others, it's a final tune-up prior to the heated division championships that take place the following weekend.  Speculating on the outcome of the race is nearly impossible because each team’s motivation may be different. But the meet has its fair share of high profile teams and individual superstars, so the races are bound to be good.