A week before kicking off its season at the annual George Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park, NAU released its women’s and men’s cross country schedule that features two kept early-season tests before the teams tackle NCAA Mountain Regional and Nationals in November.
The first big test will be Oct. 4 at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. The meet usually draws many teams to figure to play a factor in the national title hunt — including the host team.
The biggest test for both the NAU women and men will be the Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wisconsin on Oct. 19. Nearly all the top teams will compete — though last year, eventual men’s champion Oklahoma State and NAU passed on the Pre-Nats — and run most, if not all, its top runners.
Championship racing will commence in November, with Idaho State hosting the Big Sky Conference meet on Nov. 1 at Riverside Golf Course in Pocatello. The Mountain Regionals on Nov. 15 this fall will be held in Reno, hosted by the University of Nevada. The NCAA finals will be at Wisconsin on Nov. 23.
A preview of NAU’s women’s and men’s team will be posted next week.
Here is the complete schedule:
Aug. 31: George Kyte Classic, Buffalo Park.
Sept. 28: Dave Murray Invitational, Tucson.
Oct. 4: Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, South Bend, Ind.
Oct. 19: NCAA Pre-Nationals, Madison, Wisc.
Nov. 1: Big Sky Conference Meet, Pocatello, Id.
Nov. 15: NCAA Mountain Regionals, Reno
Nov. 23: NCAA Nationals, Madison, Wisc.
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