Kent State University
Tommy Evans Invitational
Cross Country Competes at Tommy Evans Invitational in 2017 Opener
9/6/2017 6:29:00 PM | Cross Country
The Kent State men's and women's cross country teams head to Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton to open the 2017 season Thursday (Sept. 7) at the Tommy Evans Invitational.
The women's 5k race begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes Akron, Cleveland State, Malone, Robert Morris and Youngstown State. The men's 4-mile race follows at 6:15 p.m. and features Akron, Malone and Youngstown State.
Due to NCAA rules governing scoring between Division I and non-Division I teams, the event will be scored as dual meets between all competing teams, with the best head-to-head records determining the results.
The Golden Flashes are in their first season under the direction of Tyler Griffin and are scheduled for four regular season meets leading to the 2017 Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships on Oct. 28 in Oxford, Ohio.
Men's Outlook
The Kent State men's cross country team was picked to finish ninth in the 2017 Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll. The Golden Flashes finished ninth at the conference meet last year.
Six of eight runners who competed last season return. Senior Nick Schank was one of the Flashes' top three finishers in every race, including a team-best ninth-place finish (25:46) at the Mason Invitational.
Sophomore Clark Bookman led Kent State at last year's MAC Championships with a time of 26:47.
Women's Outlook
Kent State's women's team was picked to finish 12th at the championship meet after finishing 12th in 2016. The Flashes welcome back 11 letterwinners, which include four student-athlete who participated in all five races.
Redshirt freshman Jaimie Adams, redshirt sophomore Olivia Davis and junior Sarah Pack all turned in top-10 performances at the Mason Invitational.
Flashback to Last Season
Kent State's men's and women's team both went 2-2 at the Tommy Evans Invitational.
The men defeated Malone and Youngstown State. Kyle Brooks led the Golden Flashes with a seventh-place finish (20:33). Nick Schank took 15th (20:56) and is the top returner.
The women defeated Akron and Youngstown State. Olivia Davis finished in a team-best 19:04 for 13. Morgan Bing was close behind in 19:09 to claim 16th.
Up Next
The Golden Flashes will head to the site of the 2017 MAC Cross Country Championships for the RedHawk Rumble on Sept. 23 in Oxford, Ohio.
Players Mentioned
