The Hilltopper Invitational

While the cross country team is often on the road to compete with other schools throughout the area, each season St. Lawrence Seminary hosts one major tournament which is a showcase event for many cross country runners throughout Wisconsin.

The Hilltopper Invitational is held every year in mid-September. More than 500 runners gather to tackle the school’s grueling course of hills and steep inclines. Many runners can be seen struggling to make it to the top of “Big Bertha,” the main hill that connects the upper campus to the soccer fields below. This is no small accomplishment. Besides the colorful uniformed runners many families and fans are present to witness the Hilltopper Invitational.

As part of the Hilltopper, each year St. Lawrence hosts a Fun Run for all runners to enjoy. The Fun Run at the end of the meet is open to anyone who has kept himself or herself in good enough shape to take on the well-worn path of the high school athletes. Many former high school runners come back to the Hill annually to relive some of their high school memories of the Hilltopper, including many St. Lawrence alumni.