MORRISTOWN, Tenn.—Carson-Newman's cross country teams may face one of the toughest courses they'll see this season, and it just so happens to be the Eagles' home meet.
The Eagles' men's and women's cross country teams will race against teams including Lincoln Memorial, Tusculum, Milligan, Maryville, Johnson, Tennessee Wesleyan, Covenant, and Virginia-Wise at Morristown's Panther Creek Park for the the Carson-Newman Invitational.
Half the field will be from within an hour's drive of Jefferson City, Tenn.
Carson-Newman head cross country coach Whitney Lee said some runners will need to step up for the Eagles to have a solid meet.
"Meredith Nix (Walhalla, S.C.) is feeling a bit under the weather, she'll need to show some inner strength for the us to be in contention for a top three finish," Lee said. "Amanda Bowman (Greeneville, Tenn.) and Stephanie Savino (Southold, N.Y.) are vital to our success this weekend as well."
The Carson-Newman men's cross country team will be racing against SAC competition in Tusculum and Lincoln Memorial. Lee said that's where Carson-Newman's focus should be.
"It will be easier to identify them (Tusculm and LMU) in the smaller race," Lee said."If we have a great day then our men will run into a 4th place result."
Lee said he expects top men's finishes by runners Luke Hall (Seymour, Tenn.) and Angel Soriano (Weatherford, Tex.). The duo finished 33rd and 26th, respectively at the Lenoir- Rhyne Invitational. The men placed 6th overall at that meet.
"Stephen Patton (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and Justin Hawkersmith (Maryville, Tenn.) will need to step up and fill a void left by Jonathan Chastain (Knoxville, Tenn.) who won't be 100% after a sickness from earlier this week." Lee said.
Maryville's men are led by Travis Wilson and the women are by Emily Guillaume. Both runners were named USA South Runners of the week in the Sept. 8 race at the Johnson Inv.
The Virginia-Wise men will all be in pursuit of their top runner Matt Parker while the women will be pursuing Megan Hilliard. Both Matt Parker and Tyler Morris look to make the Virginia-Wise men a factor in a top 20-25 finish.
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