Cross Country To Open 2020-21 Season at Belmont

Sunday, January 24

Nashville, Tenn.

Murray State

Belmont

1/22/2021 7:53:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

The Racers will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to compete in the Belmont Opener

The Murray State men's and women's cross country programs will open the 2020-21 campaign Sunday at the Belmont Opener. The meet is set at Percy Warner Park – Vaughn's Creek Cross Country Course in Nashville, Tennessee.

"I'm looking forward to the cross country season especially for our men they haven't competed since November 15 at the NCAA Southeast Regional, over a year ago. They'll all looking very good this semester," said distance coach Jordan Wallace.

Murray State will run 16 athletes, ten on the men's team and six on the women's. Of the 16 runners, four will be making their collegiate debut.

On the men's side, led by senior Caleb Kawasaki, the Racer men's team looks to build off its best conference finish since 2015. Murray State finished sixth at the OVC Championships.

The Racers also return senior Meyer Makemson, junior captain Christian Slone, junior Jordan Higgins and sophomores Ryan Dent, Robert Gibson and Benjamin Hall who all look to improve upon last year.

Looking to making to jump to the 8K distance are freshmen Austin Kirkpatrick, Nathan Quinn and Jarod Willis.

Kirkpatrick joins the Racers from Cherokee High School in Rogersville, Tenn., Quinn is a Kentucky native from South Oldham High School in Crestwood, Ky., and Willis is from Triad High School in Troy, Illinois.

"The men had some good time trials last fall and I'm really looking forward for the men to be able to break out and compete again," said Wallace.

Juniors Emma Creviston and Dani Wright lead a women's team that came in eighth at the OVC Championships.

Sophie Grogan returns for her junior season while Kristin Dent and Jessica Stein are back for their sophomore campaigns. Freshman Breanna Day is set for her first cross country season after joining the program from Chugiak High School in Eagle River, Alaska.

"We expect to see PRs from everyone because they've all shown a lot of improvements from the fall and they look really good here in January," said Wallace.

Coach Wallace is excited for her teams to be able to compete again.

"Ultimately that's why we do all this training, it's to watch them compete. Regardless of the outcome of first meet, I'm just excited to finally have the opportunity again for them."

After the Belmont Opener, Murray State returns home to host the MSU Open on February 5^that Miller Memorial Golf Course. Following the home meet, the Racers head to Cookeville, Tennessee to compete at Tennessee Tech. The OVC Championships will take place in Clarksville, Tennessee on March 1^st.