Near-Record Number of Teams to Compete in the 12th Annual Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic presented by Primal Sport Mud
Louisville, Ky. – October 3, 2013 – The Louisville Sports Commission will host 112 colleges and universities from 20 states and Canada in the 12th Annual Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic presented by Primal Sport Mud (GLCCC) on Oct. 5 at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. The meet is projected to be the second-largest college meet contested in the U.S. in 2013. The field is comprised of 19 men’s teams and 21 women’s teams that are currently ranked currently in the NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III polls as well as the NAIA polls.
In the men’s race, 2011 GLCCC team champion and top returning team from 2012 GLCCC University of Louisville, currently ranked no. 9 in the NCAA D-I Southeast Region coaches poll, should face a strong challenge by SEC power Texas A&M University, currently ranked no. 4 in the NCAA D-I South Central Region. Also presenting a challenge is the University of Kentucky, currently ranked no. 6 in the NCAA D-I Southeast Region coaches poll and two Canadian teams that are new to the GLCCC: University of Guelph and University of Western Ontario. Other teams expecting to vie for top five team honors include perennial Ohio Valley Conference power Eastern Kentucky University, currently ranked no. 17 in the National NCAA D-I; and NCAA D-II power University of Southern Indiana, currently ranked no. 7 in the NCAA D-II National coaches poll.
Individually, the men’s race shapes up as a battle of the best runners in the southeast. Leading the way will be University of Louisville’s duo of Tyler Byrne (2011 GLCCC champion and coming off his best XC performance in two years, a second place finish at UK) and Ernest Kibet; Andrew Nixon (University of Guelph), with track credentials of 13:56 5,000m and 3:41 1,500m; and University of Kentucky teammates Matt Hillenbrand and Adam Kahleifeh, both coming off very strong performances at Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree.
The women’s race showcases Texas A&M University, currently ranked no. 3 in the NCAA D-I South Central Region. The Aggies will be racing the GLCCC for the first time and are the race favorite. Several other squads are vying for top five team finishes including Eastern Kentucky University, ranked no. 5 in the NCAA D-I Southeast Region; SEC member University of Kentucky ranked no. 6 in the Southeast Region; University of Louisville, currently ranked no. 7 in the Southeast Region; and both Canadian schools – University of Guelph and University of Western Ontario.
The women’s individual race should be evenly matched among some of the top collegiate runners in the U.S. and Canada. Expected to contend for top five placing will be University of Kentucky’s Cally MaCumber (6th place finisher in 2012 NCAA D-I cross country national championships); Gen Lalonda, a 9:54 3,000m steeple chaser from University of Guelph; and Ann Eason, Eastern Kentucky University’s top runner, having raced a very fast 16:06 5,000m at the NCAA D-I track championships last spring.
Again this year, there will be very competitive high school and middle school races contested after the college event is completed. The prep division is expecting more than 1,600 young athletes from Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee and Ohio high schools will be competing Saturday afternoon with the first race at 12:00 p.m.
For additional information, contact Troy Killian, Louisville Sports Commission at (502) 587-6730 or meet director David Lawhorn at (502) 330-1933.
COLLEGE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
Race Times:
- Men’s Gold race 9:30 a.m.
- Women’s Gold race 10:15 a.m.
- Men’s Blue race 10:45 a.m.
- Women’s Blue race 11:30 a.m.
- Boys High School Invite race 12:00 p.m.
- Girls High School Invite race 12:30 p.m.
- Men’s Silver race 1:00 p.m.
- Women’s Silver race 1:45 p.m.
Location: E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park