Cross Country to Run at NCAA South Region Friday - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga men's and women's cross country team will head to the John Hunt Cross Country Running Park in Huntsville, Ala., Friday morning for the NCAA South Region Championship meets.

"We are excited to compete against the very best schools in the South Region," Mocs head coach Andy Meyer said. "It is a good course, not as fast as the Louisville course but faster than the others we have ran the past few meets. We are supposed to get a little rain tomorrow but Friday morning it is to be clear and cool, perfect for racing and the race organizers say this course will drain well and be ready."

The women will run a 6K, longer than the usual 5-kilometer races throughout the season and the men, who run 8K races during the season, will compete at the 10K distance.

Top Mocs finishers at the Southern Conference championships Lesley Green and Justine Glass are two of five Chattanooga runners to make the trip. They will be joined by Emma Russum, Ashtyn Hagood and Allie Potter.

"This is their first 6K of the year," Meyer said. "Region was cancelled last year so only Justine and Lesley have raced this distance against this competition.

"Lesley, Justine, and Emma have run well for us all season long and we again look for them to be our "rock". Allie and Ashtyn will be running their first region meets so this will be a great experience for them."

The men will take eight to the championship including top runner Jonathan Boyd.

"Jonathan and Ryan are the only two to have run 10K at a region meet," said Meyer. "For the other six this will be a learning experience for them. Jonathan and Ryan will be looking for solid finishes.

"A talented trio of freshmen has emerged as the year progressed. Aaron has steadily improved all season and is just right behind our top two and Eammon and Lane have adapted to the higher mileage and greatly improved. Eric has had his best year since being here as has Kaigen even though an injury has slowed him a little lately. Jasper has been a solid contributor for us all season long."

The top two teams and top three individuals not on those two teams, will advance automatically to the NCAA National Championship race with at-large selections made from across all regions.

"This will be a great way to close out our season and for eight of the 12 kids we are taking, the excitement of their first region meet," Meyer said.

The women's race is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time with the men's competition to follow. Results will be available on GoMocs.com following the men's race.

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Players Mentioned

Jonathan Boyd

Lesley Boyd

Justine Glass

Ashtyn Hagood

Allie Potter

Emma Russum

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