Additional Information I Men’s Course Map

KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State will send both cross country squads to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to compete at the NCAA South Regional Championship Saturday Nov. 6 at the Harry Pritchett Cross Country Course.

Hosted by the University of Alabama, the Regional will feature 35 teams from the south region made up of 462 student-athletes, as the men will compete in a 10K race while the women will run a 6K. This will be the first time the Owls have encountered this extended distance as the men are accustomed to running an 8K, whereas the women typically run a 5K.

“Anything after conference is always icing on the cake,” head coach Stan Sims said. “We utilize this event as an opportunity for our younger athletes to gain experience, but some of our veterans like Nabil Hamid and Jaakko Nieminen stand a great chance of making it on to Nationals.”

The last time out at the Atlantic Sun Championship, the men finished second behind USC Upstate after placing three runners in the top-eight. Hamid, Nieminen and Ryan Burruss all were honored for their efforts by being named to the A-Sun All-Conference Team.

“I expect the team to finish in the top-10 this weekend, but I am hoping for a top-five so the team can go to Nationals together,” Hamid said. “Personally, I hope to compete at Nationals, and if I reach my goal of beating my personal 10K best of 30:39 I stand a good chance of finishing in the top-10 and advancing.”

On the women’s side, the Owls placed ninth at the A-Sun Championship, as the squad was led by freshman Vicky Winslow. The native of Lawrenceville, Ga., finished 29th as the young squad of seven freshmen got their first taste of a championship experience.

“Just like for the men, this is an excellent opportunity for our young women’s team to get experience,” Sims said. “This is a longer race than they are accustomed to running and the competition will be tough, so this is good for them to have under their belt before next season.”

The Black and Gold will travel with 12 athletes including seven men and five women. The men’s race is slated to begin at 11 a.m. E.T., and the women’s will begin at 12:15 a.m. E.T. For updates on the men’s and women’s cross country teams, you can follow them on Twitter @KSUTrack&FieldXC.