UTC Announces 2020 Cross Country Schedule

The Chattanooga men’s and women’s cross country team is ready to return to campus and get the season started. Head coach Andy Meyer announced Thursday a competitive slate this season.

 

“We are certainly looking forward to racing this fall after the cancellation of the spring season for us,” Meyer said.

“It will have been nine months or so since some of the kids have raced competitively.”

 

The Mocs kick off the season September 24 at the Tennessee Invitational that features a women’s two-mile distance and four miles for the men.

 

“We are starting at UTK with a shorter meet to get everyone into the swing of racing again,” Meyer said. “This is a well-run meet that is very competitive and a chance to see what our freshman can do.”

 

Meyer will bring the team back home to host the second annual Twilight Meet at Camp Jordan on September 18. The distances lengthen for both teams with the women running a traditional 5K in the early evening followed by the men’s 7K.

 

“This meet exceeded our expectational last year and was very fast,” Meyer said.

 

Two weeks later UTC will head north to Kentucky for the Louisville Cross Country Classic at the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park. Many of the top teams in the country participate in this prestigious meet and the Mocs tend to post personal records on the flat, fast course.

 

For the final regular season meet, Chattanooga returns to the Berry Invitational for the third straight year. The women claimed two straight titles with the men winning the first year and placing second last year.

 

“This meet is a chance for the women to run a 6K before the NCAA South Region Meet and the guys to test their fitness on a hilly course,” Meyer said.

 

Mercer will host the Southern Conference Championships for the first time since joining the league. The women’s 5K and men’s 8,000 meter distance will be run October 31 in Macon, Ga.

 

“It could be warm there in late October so we will have to prepare accordingly,” Meyer said. “We expect the course to be rolling and fast, and of course, the Southern Conference competition is always some of the best in the country. Placing well in the SoCon means you are among the best in the nation.”

 

The Mocs will advance to the NCAA South Region meet in mid-November where faster times at the longest distances of the year for both teams are possible.

 

“We are looking forward to competition,” Meyer said. “It is great having all the meets fall two weeks apart and flowing perfectly throughout the season. This schedule may be fluid and changes may occur as the present situation dictates, but we are looking forward to having the kids on campus, training and competing once again.”

 

2020 Cross Country Schedule

Date	Meet	Location	Time
Sept. 4	at Tennessee Invitational	Knoxville, Tenn.	9:00 a.m.
Sept. 18	UTC Twilight Meet	Camp Jordan	6:15 p.m.
Oct. 3	at Louisville CC Classic	Louisville, Ky.	TBA
Oct. 17	at Berry Invitational	Mount Berry, GA.	TBA
Oct. 31	Southern Conference Championships	Macon, Ga.	TBA
Nov. 13	NCAA South Region Championships	Tallahassee, Fla.	TBA