Flashback Friday: Reed Brown, Alex Maier Battle At Marcus I


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This weekend historically marks the start to the cross country season as there are more comprehensive meets with multiple top-ranked teams and individuals matching up. It's the first big weekend where we have an early-season proving ground for many to shine on the big stage.

One of the biggest meets in Texas and the nation that would normally take place this weekend is the Marcus I Invitational. This meet each year is where several of Texas' top teams and athletes race for an early-season proving ground. Many of the athletes who win this meet or place well compete at one or both of the National meets at the end of the season. 

The 2016 Marcus I Invitational in Denton, Texas gave us one of those such matchups. The race featured to of the top athletes in the nation at that time; Flower Mound's (TX) Alex Maier, and Southlake Carroll's (TX) Reed Brown.

Brown -- who now runs for the University of Oregon -- was a senior while Maier -- who now runs for Oklahoma State -- was just a sophomore. The race was a close battle throughout but it came down to Brown beating Maier by only two seconds. The showing ultimately turned some heads -- most expected the race to be Brown's from the beginning, as he chased Craig Lutz's course record of14:53.60.

At the end of the season, Brown would go on to become the Team Nationals 6th place finisher and 2016 Foot Locker National Champion, while Maier would finish 5th at both Team Nationals and Foot Locker Nationals

The course record didn't go down that say, but the race was quite the battle from start to finish. Watch the full race above and check out the results and more below.

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Marcus I Invitational 2016 Top 10 Results

PLACEATHLETETEAMRESULTPOINTS
1Reed Brown12Southlake Carroll15:14.441
2Alex Maier10Flower Mound15:16.442
3Wes Mcphail11Amarillo Tascosa15:30.133
4Matthew Young12Jenks High School15:31.674
5Briggs Wittlake12Amarillo Tascosa15:31.815
6Graydon Morris9Aledo15:32.196
7Nicholas Fernandes12Southlake Carroll15:40.457
8Haftu Knight10Tyler Legacy15:43.148
9Conner Miller12Lewisville Hebron15:46.769
10Jake Johnson12Allen15:48.2410

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2016 Marcus I Invitational Links: