VIDEO: Borden XC Schedule Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.- Newly announced head cross country coach Brent Borden kicks off the season releasing the 2024-25 cross country schedule this morning, Aug. 26.
The Eagles are set to compete in six meets in the 2024 season. With a few familiar courses on the schedule, the team will travel to two new venues throughout the season. Four meets will take place before the South Atlantic Conference Championships on Oct. 26.
Carson-Newman leads off the season at the LMU Railsplitter Open on Sep. 6. The meet takes place in Ewing, Va. at the Monte Vista Golf Course at 5:00 p.m. with the women's 4K race. The men's 6K race will follow starting at 5:30 p.m.
"What we want to see from our team is to have a strong season opener," Borden said. "To see where we're at going towards the rest of the season. As we go into conference competition we're looking to peak later on in the year when we face those opponents again on a different course. That's really what we're looking for."
The Cherokee Farms Invitational will take place Saturday, Sep. 21. at the Cherokee Farms XC Course in Knoxville, Tenn. The women kickoff their 5K race at 9:30 a.m., and the men's 8K will begin at 10:30 a.m. The full schedule of events can be found HERE.
"Cherokee Farms is a local course," Borden said. "Where we'll have a lot of good competition there, but we're looking forward to that one."
Georgia Tech Invitational will be the third test for the Eagles on Oct. 4. taking place in Fairburn, Ga. at Bouckaert Farms. The men will head to the line at 9:30 a.m. for a 8K race while the women's 6K race will follow at 10:30 a.m. All meet information can be found HERE.
"We're most prepared for the ASICS meet down in Georgia," said Borden. "We have performed very well there in the past. A lot of personal bests and individual victories like last year highlighted by Colten Lee. That's one that I think we're most prepared for to give us a good stepping stone going into the later championship races."
In the middle of the season the Eagles take a night trip to the Night at Nooga meet on Oct. 12 set in Ringgold, GA. at Camp Jordan. This meet will include a 5K race for both men's and women's teams. Start time for the women's race is 9:05 p.m., and the men's race at 9:35 p.m. The full schedule of events can be found HERE.
"The Nooga at Night is a new venue we've never been to that we're excited about. It's also a night race…so it's going to be a little bit of a change of scenery, but we are looking forward to it." Borden said.
The Eagles close out October and start postseason competition with the South Atlantic Conference Championships scheduled for Oct. 26 in Newberry, S.C. The women's race begins at 9:00 a.m. while the men's race is set for a 10:00 a.m. start.
The NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championships concludes the Eagles season on Nov. 9 at the Milliken Center in Spartanburg, S.C. The men's 10K and women's 6K start times are TBA soon.
Carson-Newman is set to start off their 2024 season on Friday, Sep. 6. at the LMU Railsplitter Open. Stay up to date for all things Eagles cross country by visiting cneagles.com.
