Now, The Encore

We'd featured the NYC Mayor's Cup earlier in the week, but there is a lot going for teams outside the give boroughs as well.

Friday Meet Preview

Disney World Classic [Kissimmee, Fla.]

This is a big meet down in Florida that usually see a handful of local teams attend — including Iona Prep and Ursuline from New Rochelle (N.Y.), Absegami (N.J.), Cedar Creek (N.J.), Cherry Hill East (N.J.), North Rockland (N.Y.), Sweet Home (N.Y.), Tully (N.Y.), Eastern Regional (N.J.), Hamilton (N.Y.), and Immaculate Heart (N.J.).

An interesting storyline to follow this year is the future of the meet. ESPN has dropped its investment in high school websites including DyeStat and has yet to announce if the network will continue to sponsor this event.

Saturday Meet Previews

Beaver River Invitational [Beaver River, N.Y.]

Buried in Adirondack State Park is one of New York State's true powerhouses — Beaver River High School. The last Class C or D school to win the NYS Federation title, that program is one of the great things about our sport. Last year Franklin Academy beat the host and about 10 other teams in both races. Both teams are very good again this year and the results could look similiar.

Brewster Bear Invitational [Brewster, N.Y.]

Held on the grounds of Brewster High School and the adjoining elementary school, this meet draws more than 30 schools. The course is nothing special, but meet directors hire a deejay for the day and do a great job at creating a festive meet that coaches and athletes have grown to love. Last year's meet was a mudfest and, after rain all week, this year's could be very much the same.

Grout Run [Schenectady, N.Y.]

More than 40 schools will head to Central Park in Schenectady for the 74th running of the Grout Run. This meet used to draw teams from all over the state, but tends to be more or a local meet nowadays. Small schools power Greenwich is racing in the Girls C Division. Other top teams in the meet include Cornwall, Guilderland, Bayport Bluepoint, Shaker, Queensbury and Bethlehem.

Shore Coaches Invitational [Holmdel Park]

How about seven boys' and seven girls' varsity races? Is that enough for you? Because that's what you'll get at Holmdel Park this weekend when just about every single N.J. team toes the line, including defending national champions CBA. Northport (N.Y.) will be back with a full squad this week after running a jayvee team in the varsity race last weekend and seeing themselves fall in the rankings. Northport has been as high as No. 2 this season in the Armory Top 10 Rankings. The Shenendehowa and Westhill girls are also racing here this weekend.

St. Anthony's Invitational [Sunken Meadow State Park]

This year's meet is on a SAT day, which may have affected the number of teams attending. There are many years that they have run the classic 2.5-mile course, but not this year as everyone will get a chance to run the famed Cardiac Hill. The small schools boys' race features Manhasset, Friends Academy, Bronxville, Irvington, Sayville and Westhampton Beach. The girls' small race should be won by Bronxville, which has been ranked No. 1 in NYS in class C all season long. The girls' large school race has Miller Place, North Rockland, Ward Mellville and favorite St. Anthony's. St. A's is also the favorite in the boys' large school but Massapequa, Molloy, Garden City and St. Joe's Buffalo are quality teams as well.