MOBILE CHALLENGE OF CHAMPIONS: Plenty at stake for top athletes

For Scott Lasiter of Indianapolis' Franklin Central, it's an opportunity to show track and field fans why South Alabama offered him a scholarship.

For Justin Green of Louisville's Male High, it's an opportunity to test an injured hamstring.

And for St. Paul's Neal Tisher and UMS-Wright's Robert Willett, it's a chance to take advantage of a home crowd.

The four athletes are part of a star-studded field in the Elite Division of the Mobile Challenge of Champions Meet. The two-day meet begins today at 3 p.m. with the Open Division at UMS-Wright. The Elite Division starts Saturday at St. Paul's E.E. Delaney Stadium. Field events start at 1 p.m., and the first running event — the 3,200-meter relay — begins at 2 p.m.

There are several marquee events in Saturday's competition that will be of interest to fans.

"The girls' pole vault, with St. Paul's Neal Tisher, will be interesting," meet director Steve Schoenewald said. "The boys' 400-meter field could be one of the most loaded fields ever, and someone could possibly break 46 seconds. The boys' 100 will feature Trent Richardson of Escambia County, Fla., who signed a football scholarship with Alabama. And there will also be a strong two-mile field."