* Abby Faith Cheeseman is one of the top athletes to watch heading into the CYUP Misfits Invitational on Saturday in Chicago
Photo Credit: Brett Berwager/MileSplit
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The CYUP Misfits Invitational presented by HOKA is back for the fourth year running at the Gately Indoor Track and Field Center in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday.
Over 1,000 athletes from around the Midwest are scheduled to compete at the venue, which is considered one of the best in the region.
A selection of studs from Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Tennessee and Arkansas will be ready to roll over the weekend.
Interested in finding out who's competing? We have it covered for you.
MileSplit will have the live stream, post-race interviews, results and more following action from Misfits.
BEGINS AIRING AT 7:45 AM CST ON SATURDAY
Check out pre-meet information on our meet page
9. Jaden Merrick, Cedar Falls (IA)
Events: 1-mile, 2-mile
Breakdown: An emerging talent out of Iowa, Merrick will have his hands full in the mile and 2-mile. But that's probably just the way he wants it. He ran 4:25 for the mile and 9:32 for the 2-mile last year in this very meet. Chances are, our guy Merrick will drop some even-better performances on Saturday.
8. Kailey Littlefield, Lucas Lovejoy (TX)
Event: 300m, 600m
Breakdown: The Oklahoma State recruit opened her indoor campaign last week in Arkansas, clocking a quality effort of 57.33 for 400m. She'll be faced with some stiff competition here with Trinity-McKenzie and Pace.
7. Charlize Trinity-McKenzie, Cedarburg (WI)
Events: 600m, 1K
Breakdown: The sophomore is already out hot, owning Wisconsin No. 1 times in the 400m (57.93), 800m (2:11.88) and the 1,600m (4:57.24). Chances are, Trinity-McKenzie will scoop up 600m and 1K honors here as well. The only question? Can she beat the field?
6. Gavin Genisio, Benton (IL)
Events: 1-mile
Breakdown: He has the second-fastest seed time -- only behind Burlison -- which means Mr. Genisio might be ready for a special performance here. The Tennessee recruit is using this meet as his opener. He clocked a PR of 9:09 at 3,200m last year in this very venue last February.
5. Camyn Viger, Plainfield South (IL)
Events: 1-mile
Breakdown: The New Mexico recruit is among a loaded group in the mile. But Viger could be the top dog with his 4:10.75 PR from the Magis Miles in June -- only TJ Hansen has run faster at 4:07.
4. Olivia Pace, Westerville Central (OH)
Events: 60m, 300m
Breakdown: Right now it's Olivia's world and we're just living in it. The Ohio sprint star traveled to Virginia last week and put down a U.S. No. 5 time in the 60m (7.40) and a U.S. No. 30 effort in the 200m (24.50). Pace elected for over-distance here, so we'll see how she responds to the added challenge. Another electric 60m, however, might be right in her wheelhouse.
3. Adam Burlison, Lubbock Coronado (TX)
Event: 2-mile
Breakdown: Yolo. He raced sparingly over the cross country season, but Burlison seems back for the full-go over indoor. He opened with a 4:09.12 mile in Boston in December and now will make his way to Chi-Town to throw down for a potential sub-9 for the full two miles.
2. Julian Carter, Marion (AR)
Event: 300m, 600m
Breakdown: The country's top half-miler will dip down into the 300 meter race -- a distance he's never attempted -- and then will go up into the 600m, potentially with the hopes of going after a U.S. No. 1 time. He's capable.
1. Abby Faith Cheeseman, The Webb School (TN)
Event: 1-mile
Breakdown: Our favorite runner from Tennessee might have her sights on a meet record mile here. She would need only to secure a time of under 4:50 to achieve that feat. Considering she already has a time of 4:44 on her resume, we think the opportunity is fitting.
Related Links:
CYUP Misfits Invitational meet page
