University of Tennessee Athletics
Cross Country Announces 2016 Schedule
August 15, 2016 | Track & Field
Tennessee’s Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan released the 2016 cross country schedule this week.
“It’s exciting to have it finalized and get closer to the start of our 2016 cross country schedule for the fall semester,” said Alford-Sullivan. “We look forward to returning a couple of very young squads, both men and women, a year older and more seasoned. We have some good, impactful newcomers as well.”
This year’s opening race for the Big Orange will take place in its own backyard. Tennessee hosts the Tennessee Dual on Sept. 3, and will compete against UT Martin. The men’s 6K race is set to start at 9:00 a.m. ET, followed by the women’s 5K at 9:45 a.m. This marks the first time in five years that the Vols have hosted a cross country race.
"We’re excited to be hosting the first meet at Cherokee Farms,” Alford-Sullivan said. “We’re starting with just a small, dual meet with Martin, and we are looking forward to testing the facility and testing our young squad at the beginning of the season."
The last time Tennessee hosted a meet was the 2011 Tennessee Invitational on Sept. 17 at Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville. Kentucky claimed first in both men’s and women’s races. Former Vol Brittany Sheffey notched a first place finish overall, marking her first career victory (17:43.46). Chris Bodary paced the UT men, claiming second place overall (25:24.52).
After hosting the Tennessee Dual on Sept. 3, UT will compete at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn. for the second straight year. The meet will be hosted by Vanderbilt University at Vaughn’s Gap Cross Country Course at Percy Warner Park. The men will run an 8K, and the women will compete in a 5K.
Last year, Kyle Walter led the Vols, finishing 26th of 213 runners, recording a time of 25:30.20. Rising sophomore Jessica Rizor was the top Vol finisher for the women finishing with a mark of 18:28.60.
The Vols will make the trip up to Louisville, Ky. on Oct. 1 as they compete at the Greater Louisville Classic. This past season the Tennessee women placed fourth out of 33 teams. Jessica Rizor finished seventh overall with a 5K time of 18:03.87.
On Oct. 14, both the men’s and women’s teams are set to compete at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The last time the Big Orange ran in this race was 2014 where the men took 14th and the women wrapped-up the competition in 13th place.
Following the Crimson Classic, UT will move on to the SEC Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. on Oct. 28. Last year both the men’s and women’s teams ended the race in 11th place. Chelsea Blaase claimed second overall with a time of 19:40.90, and Zach Long lead the men posting a time of 24:56.90.
The Volunteers will then head to NCAA South Regional hosted by Florida State on Nov. 11.
After Regionals, the Big Orange will compete in the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. on Nov. 19.
UT fans can follow the cross country team on Twitter and Instagram @Vol_Track.
