University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, September 1
Memphis, Tenn.
9 pm
University of Memphis
at
Brooks Twilight Classic (M: 4 miles/W: 5k)
Photo by: Steve Austell
Cross Country Preview: Brooks Twilight Classic
Aug 31, 2018 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Tigers begin 2018 in annual season opener.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's and women's cross country squads open their seasons Saturday with the 16thannual Brooks Twilight Classic.
The Brooks Twilight Classic, held at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Collierville, is set for a nighttime start. The women's race kicks off the action at 9:20 p.m. (CT), with the men's race to follow at approximately 10 p.m. (CT).
In last year's event, the men's team placed sixth and the women's squad fifth. Arnica Zitting became the first women's runner in Memphis history to win the individual crown in the Brooks Twilight Classic 5k race.
The Tigers enter the 2018 campaign with different make-ups for the men's and women's teams. The men's squad returns only three runners – senior Matthew Viveiros and juniors Joshua Hamlet and Matthew Kamph – that competed last season and welcomes 11 newcomers. On the other side, the Memphis women's team has seven returnees that ran in 2017, including senior Kristen Adams and junior Paige Sandwell. The women's squad also adds three newcomers to the mix.
Brooks Twilight Classic
Men's Teams (20):Allen County Community College, Arkansas State, Bethel, Christian Brothers, Central Arkansas, Cumberland, Freed-Hardeman, Houston Baptist, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Little Rock, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi Valley State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Rhodes, UT Martin, West Alabama, William Carey
Women's Teams (21):Allen County Community College, Arkansas State, Bethel, Christian Brothers, Cumberland, Freed-Hardeman, Houston Baptist, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Little Rock, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Rhodes, UAB, UT Martin, West Alabama, William Carey
Head coach Kevin Robinson comments
"It's the first race of the year, and we've only had six or seven practices. We haven't had our hands on them very long. I'm excited to see the new kids and see how they compete. We realize no one is in great racing shape at this point, but we want to see how they respond to pressure. We're going to throw them in with some really competitive runners and see how they perform.
"We have a lot of new guys that have a tremendous amount of potential. I'm eager to see them get out there and mix it up. We're going in a little banged up on the women's side. Our top three runners are going to be out, so we're looking for the rest of that group to step up.
"This is a test run for us. It gives a gauge on their fitness levels and helps us to fine tune their training based on how they run Saturday."
Up Next
The Tigers take a week off from competition and return to the course Sept. 15 at the Rhodes College Invitational.
The Brooks Twilight Classic, held at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Collierville, is set for a nighttime start. The women's race kicks off the action at 9:20 p.m. (CT), with the men's race to follow at approximately 10 p.m. (CT).
In last year's event, the men's team placed sixth and the women's squad fifth. Arnica Zitting became the first women's runner in Memphis history to win the individual crown in the Brooks Twilight Classic 5k race.
The Tigers enter the 2018 campaign with different make-ups for the men's and women's teams. The men's squad returns only three runners – senior Matthew Viveiros and juniors Joshua Hamlet and Matthew Kamph – that competed last season and welcomes 11 newcomers. On the other side, the Memphis women's team has seven returnees that ran in 2017, including senior Kristen Adams and junior Paige Sandwell. The women's squad also adds three newcomers to the mix.
Brooks Twilight Classic
Men's Teams (20):Allen County Community College, Arkansas State, Bethel, Christian Brothers, Central Arkansas, Cumberland, Freed-Hardeman, Houston Baptist, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Little Rock, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi Valley State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Rhodes, UT Martin, West Alabama, William Carey
Women's Teams (21):Allen County Community College, Arkansas State, Bethel, Christian Brothers, Cumberland, Freed-Hardeman, Houston Baptist, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Little Rock, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Rhodes, UAB, UT Martin, West Alabama, William Carey
Head coach Kevin Robinson comments
"It's the first race of the year, and we've only had six or seven practices. We haven't had our hands on them very long. I'm excited to see the new kids and see how they compete. We realize no one is in great racing shape at this point, but we want to see how they respond to pressure. We're going to throw them in with some really competitive runners and see how they perform.
"We have a lot of new guys that have a tremendous amount of potential. I'm eager to see them get out there and mix it up. We're going in a little banged up on the women's side. Our top three runners are going to be out, so we're looking for the rest of that group to step up.
"This is a test run for us. It gives a gauge on their fitness levels and helps us to fine tune their training based on how they run Saturday."
Up Next
The Tigers take a week off from competition and return to the course Sept. 15 at the Rhodes College Invitational.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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