HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Anderson University men's and women's cross country teams are getting set for the 2022 UAH Invitation on Saturday (Oct. 22) morning at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
This will be the largest competing field for a race hosted by University of Alabama Huntsville, with 51 teams competing on the men's side and 49 for the women.
The men's side includes four teams ranked in the USTFCCCA Southeast Regional poll in Wingate (No.1 regionally, No.4 nationally), Anderson (No.4), UNC-Pembroke (No.8), and Lincoln Memorial (No.10).
The women's side includes five Southeast regionally ranked teams in Wingate (No.1 regionally, No.6 nationally), Anderson (No.4), UNC-Pembroke (No.7), Carson-Newman (No.8), and Lincoln Memorial (No.9).
The Trojans last competed at the Royals Challenge on Oct.7 at Queens University of Charlotte, where Spain Vaughan impressed on the men's side, breaking his own school record in the 8,000m with a time of 24:34.1. Freshman Elliot Dotson also ran well at a pace of 25:16.2 for 33rd place. As a team, the Trojans placed seventh in a competitive field with a total of 186 points and an average individual time of 25:30.
Meanwhile, the women placed fifth at the Royals with a total of 190 points and an average individual time of 18:53 in the 5k. Whitney Hanson led the Trojans at a pace of 18:23.7 to place 21st. Elise Matthews finished 42nd (18:51.3) while Faith Nelson (18:55.6) and Emily Golden (18:56.1) both finished inside the top-50.
"We have had this meet circled on the calendar all season long since it is a high caliber meet," said coach Kevin Eagle. "There are 50 teams entered from 15 different states. On the women's side, there are 17 regionally ranked teams and six nationally ranked teams across the NCAA."
"The men have 17 regionally ranked teams and seven who are ranked nationally," said Eagle. "This weekend will show us how good we really are as we enter the championship portion of our schedule in two weeks. Both teams are primed and ready to go come Saturday morning!"
The action is slated to begin at 8:00 AM CT (9:00 AM EST) with the men's 8k, while the women's 5k is slated for 8:45 CT (9:45 AM EST). Results can be found at autrojans.com.
