26th S.C.S.D.B. Eye Opener kicks off season Saturday

 

Over 2,200 runners at the college and high school level will compete in the 26th S.C.S.D.B Eye Opener at The Roger Milliken Center in Spartanburg Saturday morning.

Co-meet directors Jimmy Stephens (USC Upstate) and Jack Todd (S.C.S.D.B.) told scrunners.com 437 college and 1,820 high school runners are entered in the meet.

"When Jack started the event 26 years ago, I am not sure if he had envisioned it becoming such a huge and fantastic event," said Stephens.
  
Twenty four college and 63 high school teams are scheduled to compete throughout the eight races.

"Most of all is to provide a great competitive experience for high school and college cross country," said Todd. "That's what it's all about."

Action starts at 8 a.m. with the collegiate women's 5,000-meter run. The junior varsity girls conclude the day at 11:05 a.m. High school varsity teams can choose between the championship or international events.

Disposable tags called ChronoTrack D-Tags will be used at the meet.

Stephens focuses on the college level while Todd concentrates on the high school portion of the meet.

"It should be a great collegiate competition," said Stephens. " We have some of the best programs in our region attending. This is such an exciting time of year."

Stephens and Todd started a steering committee to help in all aspects of the Labor Day Weekend event.

"The older you get the more you learn how to delegate," said Todd. "We work real hard to make sure it is a well-organized event."

The steering committee consists of Mike Baird, Scott Hubbard, George Sykes, Todd and Stephens.

"We work together in the months leading up to the event to get things organized" said Stephens.

"I am just honored that he ask me to be part of such a happening," Stephens concluded.

Todd said around 35 volunteers are needed for the event.

"I am hoping to see a great competition, which I am sure we will," said Todd. "It looks like we have great weather. We are are real fortunate in that aspect."

scrunners.com will be onsite with photo and video coverage. Live finish line video will be available Saturday on scrunners.com. The link will be posted Saturday morning.

More details
Notes from meet managment
5K course video

Time schedule
8 a.m. Collegiate Women no limit 5K
8:30 a.m. Collegiate Men no limit 8K
9 a.m. International Girls limit 10 5K
9:30 a.m. International Boys limit 10 5K
10 a.m. Championship Girls limit 10 5K
10:30 a.m. Championship Boys limit 10 5K
11 a.m. Junior Varsity Boys no limit 5K
11:05 a.m. Junior Varsity Girls no limit 5K