BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University men's and women's cross country will host their biggest meet of the year Friday October 17, as the Mountaineers prepare for 34 teams to trek to the High Country to compete at the Blue Ridge Open. The meet will take place at the Don Kennedy Trails at the State Farm Complex.
THE RACES:
3 p.m.- The women's gold race will take place at 3 p.m. This is a 5000m race and team scoring will take place.
3:45 p.m.- The men's gold race will take place at 3:45 p.m. This is a 8000m race and team scoring will take place.
4:30 p.m.- The women's open race is also 5000m, with no team scoring and unlimited entrants.
5 p.m.- The men's open race is also 8000m, with no team scoring and unlimited entrants.
THE MEET:
On the men's side tough competition will be abundant, as numerous strong teams and regional foes will compete in Friday's race. Regional competitors Dukee, University of North Carolina, Charlotte and Clemson, who are ranked fifth, tenth, 12th and 13th in the Southeast Region, respectively will alll be vying for the top spot in Friday's race. The Apps are ranked 11th in the latest region poll.
Along with facing stiff regional competitors, the Black and Gold will also get a preview of the upcoming Southern Conference Championships, as five SoCon teams, Davidson, Elon, UNC Greensboro, Wofford and Western Carolina will all be running as well. Appalachian and Western Carolina will also be battling for the right to retain the King of the Mountain title, and the Old Mountain Jug. ASU has kept the jug since 2004, with the Catamounts last defeating Appalachian in 2003.
The women's race will be tough as well as a slew of ASU's regional rivals will be running in Friday's race. The University of North Carolina, Clemson, Charlotte and Coastal Carolina, who are ranked fifth, ninth, tenth, and 14th in the latest regional polls will provide strong competition for Appalachian. The Mountaineers will also be going up against tough SoCon foes, in Davidson, Elon, UNC Greensboro, Western Carolina and Wofford. The Apps will also try and defeat conference rival Western Carolina, so they can keep the title of Queen of the Mountain and the Old Mountain Jug. Since 1997, when the battle for the jugs began, the Catamounts have only won the title twice, 1997 and 1999, since 2000 Appalachian has not lost to WCU.
UP NEXT:
Both the men's and women's squads will travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for the Southern Conference Championships. The men's team will look to defend its title, having won three-straight SoCon titles, 2005, 2006 and 2007, while the women will also compete for the Southern Conference crown.
