Farmbanks XC Invitational Preview

Fairbanks High School is The Place to Be on Tuesday, September 6th

The stage is set. The course is primed. And the Panthers are ready to roar. On Tuesday, Fairbanks will host the annual home cross country meet, The Farmbanks XC Invitational, and the rabid fans are ready for a show. New this year will be a fundraising event dubbed “The Great Cow Drop,” in which an award winning dairy cow will roam a roped-off lawn, dropping its stool into one lucky square and ensuring someone a nice cash prize. Fairbanks sophomore Bryce Nisly says of the event, “It really is a reflection of the culture of our school. Without dairy cows and other agricultural mainstays, we wouldn’t be the Farmbanks that we are. We take pride in tractors, hay bales, and pitchforks, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Head coach Mike Van Winkle agrees. “As a farmer, it’s important for me to show the community that the cross country team is in touch with our agricultural heritage. And you can bet your bottom dollar that there’s going to be a lot of milk at this event. Cool, creamy, nutritious milk!” The course itself reflects the themes of the day, as it meanders through open prairies, practice fields, and good rich farmland. “If I could make every runner wear a pair of overalls and a straw hat, I’d do it,” says Van Winkle, “but OHSAA rules forbid such extravagances.”

The Panthers are looking to build on their accomplishments from last year’s Farmbanks Invitational. Fairbanks freshmen phenoms J. J. Meihls and Mara Vacari are ready to find the same success they experienced last year as middle schoolers, when both finished in second place in their respective races. “I think I’m ready for the competition at the high school level,” says Meihls. “Yes, the course is one mile longer, but that just adds to the thrill.” Meanwhile, high school veteran runners, Fairbanks seniors Caleb Wenger and Nathan Parks, are hoping to finish near the top once again. According to Parks, “It’s my senior year. It’s our home invite. There’s a cow on the lawn. I’m going to tear this race up. I’m hungry for a win, I’m thirsty for chocolate milk, and I’m not going to be defeated.” On the girls’ side, junior Rachael Hoover is equally as excited and is looking to repeat as the champion. “My time last year was okay, but there’s something different in the air this year. It could be the smell of manure, or it could be the smell of success. I’m having trouble discerning, but I certainly hope it’s the latter.”

Other schools that will be competing at the meet are Delaware Christian, London, Mechanicsburg, Russia, Triad, Marion Harding, Columbus School for Girls, and Amanda Clearcreek. “The competition is going to be stiff, but we have a good chance at bringing home some hardware this year,” says Van Winkle.

The schedule for race day is as follows:

5:00—Middle School Boys

5:30—Middle School Girls

6:00—High School Girls

6:30—High School Boys