Highlander Invitational cross country on Saturday

This weekend is the annual Highlander Invitational Cross Country meet at Shadle Park.

The freshman boys race is at 9:30 a.m. followed by freshman girls, sophomore boys and junior varsity girls. The junior boys are at 11:30, varsity girls at noon and senior boys at 12:30 p.m.

Shadle Park girls coach Bob Isitt expects up to 35 teams in attendance, including Mead and Ferris among the numerous large- and small-school state-ranked teams.

“This is a great early-season race,” said Isitt. “It’s a bit shorter and doesn’t beat up the runners.”

It’s also a good early season comparison check for coaches. The Saxons and Panthers are are the top two ranked boys teams.

Lewis and Clark, University, Mead and Wenatchee are all ranked among the state’s top-10 girls teams.

Colville, Lakeside and Riverside will face each other for the first time to determine a 2A pecking order.

And there are runners from Montana and the Big Nine who will test local individuals.

“We look forward to having a competitive Highlander,” said Isitt.