OREM – The Utah Valley University cross-country teams are set to host the UVU Invitational this Friday at Lakeside Park in Orem. The men’s four-mile race is slated for an 11 a.m. start with the women’s 5K beginning at 11:45 a.m.
Southern Utah, Utah State, Westminster and Wyoming will all be part of the field. Results from the races will be available on RunnerCard's website and USU's athletic website.
“We’re excited to be at home,". head coach Scott Houle said. "It gives the kids a chance to stay in their routines and it also allows our fans an opportunity to see the kids. It’s great to have a home crowd."
The Wolverines have been off since opening up the 2013 season at the Utah State Invitational on Aug. 31 with a pair of second place finishes. Jason Lynch finished second on the men’s side and earned UVU’s first-ever WAC Athlete of the Week award. For the women, Bridget Hazel also finished second by edging out teammate Ivie Gonsalves, who is redshirting and ran unattached in Logan.
“Having that week off after the USU meet has allowed everyone to take a look at what they did well and improve in the areas they need to as well," Houle said. "Hopefully that pays dividends for us this week and in the future.”
Friday's invite marks the second time that Utah Valley has hosted the UVU Invitational and the first time since 2008. Next weekend the Wolverines will race at the Montana State Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Bozeman, Mont.
Clint Burgi is the assistant athletic director for sports information at Utah Valley University. For more information on Wolverine athletics, visit WolverineGreen.com.