2012 Paul Enke Hazelwood Central Cross Country Invitational
The 38th Annual Paul Enke
Hazelwood Central Cross Country Invitational almost never happened. In fact,
cross county races ever being held again on the famous “Man-Maker” course with its
notorious hills at Sioux Passage Park were in doubt in the last year. Tough
economic times led the St. Louis County administration to propose budgets cuts
for the St. Louis County Parks Department. Included in those proposals were
closing or selling facilities and Sioux Passage was included in those. A public
outcry helped push the county to find ways to save some properties and services,
including Sioux Passage.
With Sioux Passage saved, the races went
on Saturday. Defending Varsity Team Champions St. Teresa’s was back, making the
trip from Kansas City as they have in recent years, as was Fort Zumwalt West on
the Boys side, though having lost two of their top four from last year’s race
to graduation. Hickman senior Nicole Mello would open her season trying to
defend her crown after missing all of the fun at the Forest Park XC
Invitational while taking the ACT last weekend. Mello undoubtedly knew what
she’d be facing, or at least who one of her top competitors would be, surely
hearing from her coaches and teammates who saw Ste. Genevieve’s freshman phenom
Taylor Werner blaze to victory at Forest Park.
