JACKSONVILLE - With nearly 40 of the top cross country teams in the southeastern United States already committed, the field at the fifth annual Cecil Field Summer Classic Cross Country, set for Fril Aug. 27, looks to be one of the biggest first meet in recent history.

“I think a lot of coaches appreciated that we had the event last year despite all the concerns about athletes and COVID,” said race director Richard Fannin. “Viera High of Florida looks like the team that could reset most of the course records.”

Staged on the Cecil Field New World Golf course just down the road from Oakleaf High School, the Classic features an uptick in not only projected finishing times, but more runners.

“We had 13 girls teams and 17 boys teams last year when we put the event on with a lot of COVID precautions, but this year, we’ve already signed on nearly 50 girls and 50 boys teams with the event being a sanctioned FHSAA season opener versus a preseason jamboree,” said Fannin. “It will be hotly contested with a varsity race and elite races because of the incoming talent.”

Fannin noted that the elite race will feature teams from top 54 teams in Florida last year with all sharing an average of less than 18 minutes per runner at the finish. I can see a handful of finishes under 15 minutes.”

One of the top area runners set to battle is St. Johns Country Day School’s Matthew Stratton, a senior, who has back to back top three Class 1A finishes on his resume.

“Matthew is a top returner with Nease High’s Rheinhart Harrison making the front running very fast along with Trinity Prep’s Nick Carpenter,” said Fannon.