The Ohio cross country team makes its only seasonal appearance at home this weekend, which also marks the return of the Ohio Invitational to the golf course along the Hocking River.
Last year, the meet took place at West State Street Park. Coach Clay Calkins said the highlight of the weekend would be competing on the course.
It's just great to be back and to have a premiere course that teams would want to come in and run on
he said, I think it's great to showcase Ohio University and it's great to showcase it on our home golf course.
Kendra Churchill said she is excited to compete on the course this weekend. It's pretty flat which is abnormal for down here
she said. It should be a fast course.
Despite the location of the golf course, the cross country team has not had a chance to practice on it. That's one downfall of being on a golf course
Calkins said. The times you can get on there are not the best.
Churchill said she is excited to compete at home because they do not have to deal with what comes with competing on the road.
We get to sleep in our own beds
and you get to not be in the car for three hours before you actually get to run
so you're not really tired from all the traveling
she said The men have won the Ohio Invitational team title the last two years, while the women finished second at last year's meet.
As both teams go after team titles, they will do without some of their top runners, who will be rested this weekend.
It's just a rest interval for them
Calkins said. (Coach) Mitch (Bentley) has got some of the top athletes training through this meet
instead of running at it.
Andrea Maas, who finished third at last year's Ohio Invitational, will be competing tomorrow after getting last weekend off.
Bob Wayner, said he will use this meet to get back into the groove of racing
after using the last couple of weeks to get some good training in.
It will just be good to get started racing
