The Jackson County Central cross country team is hosting the Big South Conference meet at Jackson Golf Club on Tuesday.
JCC will be among 14 conference teams in action including Belle Plaine, Blue Earth Area, Fairmont, Luverne, Marshall, Pipestone Area, Redwood Valley, St. James, St. Peter, Tri-City United, Waseca, Windom Area, and Worthington.
The challenging Jackson course with several elevation changes and banked curves awaits the best runners the conference has to offer.
Redwood Valley has the second-ranked boys and third-ranked girls team in the Class A coaches poll. Tyler Robinson is ranked fourth as a boys individual to lead the Cardinals. Windom Area has the 11th-ranked boys.
The St. Peter girls team is ranked 10th with Marshall ranked 12th in the latest Class AA poll. Samuel Deutz of Marshall is ranked sixth as a boys individual.
Enzo Gazzola of St. Peter won the boys varsity race at the JCC Tri for Health Invitational on a wet, cool day in September. David Botello-Ramos finished third place to lead JCC to fourth place as a team. Windom Area won the boys team event ahead of conference teams Fairmont, St. Peter, JCC, Redwood Valley, Worthington, and Blue Earth Area.
Brielle Friedrich of St. Peter won the girls varsity race in September. Naiya Ayers finished eighth to lead JCC girls to fifth place. Luverne won the girls team event ahead of conference teams Fairmont, St. Peter, JCC, Windom Area, Worthington, and Windom Area.
The junior varsity races begin the day at 3:30 p.m. with varsity to follow.