University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, September 21
Terre Haute, Ind.
University of Northern Colorado
at
M- John McNichols Invitational
Bears Cross Country Looks to Build Momentum at the John McNichols and Greeno/Drisken Invitationals
9/19/2019 12:15:00 PM | Cross Country
UNC cross country returns to action on Saturday
Greeley- It's been a busy two weeks for UNC Cross Country.
Two weeks ago, brought numerous personal bests and loads of experience at the Wyoming Invitational for the Bears who competed against some of the best teams in the nation in Wyoming, Colorado and Colorado State.
Now, the men's and women's teams will split for the first time this season in pursuit of excellence while continuing that momentum. The men head to the  John McNichols Invitational hosted by Indiana State University and the women to the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska.
The men's 8k race will be held on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course starting at 9:00 am ET. The women's race will be held on the Mahoney Golf Course at 9:00 am CT.
"Like most meets, we're looking for progress," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Wayne Angel. "As we continue to compete in bigger and better meets, it will raise our level of confidence and mental toughness. We're very excited to see what unfolds this weekend".
UNC's top five men's runners had a spread of 43 seconds which they hope to improve on this weekend. Much like two weeks ago, a deep imposing group of competitive programs awaits both programs when they arrive in Terre Haute and Lincoln.
"The John McNichols Invitational is quickly becoming one of the premier meets in the Midwest. The field will be very strong," Angel said. "We feel very honored to have been invited. As a team, we must step up our collective efforts and exhibit a high level of intensity, discipline and competitiveness to be successful this weekend".
On the Men's side, the list of entrants includes five USTFCCCA nationally ranked teams, No. 1 Northern Arizona, No. Â 5 Iowa State, No. 7 Stanford, No. 9 Wisconsin and No. 24 Purdue. Representing the Mountain region is top-ranked Northern Arizona and No. 13 Northern Colorado.
The women's race features some top-notch competition from the Midwest Region in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa as well as other competitors, South Dakota, Doane and Nebraska-Omaha.
The ladies will be looking to make a dynamic statement after returning to training following the University of Wyoming meet.
"Everyone is healthy and ready to go, we have some fires lit beneath us that are fueling the energy to get out and put up some good times," assistant coach Stormie Sickler said. "We're working on continuing to improve each and every day. Our goal is to be at our peak performance when championship season comes and that process continues on Saturday by improving from our times that we posted at the Wyoming Invite."
At its core, the John McNichols and the Greeno/Dirksen Invitationals are the next phase of the progression for Angel's teams as they strive to improve each week ahead of the high-stakes meets later in the fall.
"These competitions will be another stepping stone as we prepare for the Big Sky championships in November," Angel said. "With the quality and depth of the field being so high, we will be tested. These are the experiences that we need for us to be at our best later in the season when its counts".
To stay up to date on all things UNC cross country, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on social media at @UNC_BearsTF.
Two weeks ago, brought numerous personal bests and loads of experience at the Wyoming Invitational for the Bears who competed against some of the best teams in the nation in Wyoming, Colorado and Colorado State.
Now, the men's and women's teams will split for the first time this season in pursuit of excellence while continuing that momentum. The men head to the  John McNichols Invitational hosted by Indiana State University and the women to the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational hosted by the University of Nebraska.
The men's 8k race will be held on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course starting at 9:00 am ET. The women's race will be held on the Mahoney Golf Course at 9:00 am CT.
"Like most meets, we're looking for progress," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Wayne Angel. "As we continue to compete in bigger and better meets, it will raise our level of confidence and mental toughness. We're very excited to see what unfolds this weekend".
UNC's top five men's runners had a spread of 43 seconds which they hope to improve on this weekend. Much like two weeks ago, a deep imposing group of competitive programs awaits both programs when they arrive in Terre Haute and Lincoln.
"The John McNichols Invitational is quickly becoming one of the premier meets in the Midwest. The field will be very strong," Angel said. "We feel very honored to have been invited. As a team, we must step up our collective efforts and exhibit a high level of intensity, discipline and competitiveness to be successful this weekend".
On the Men's side, the list of entrants includes five USTFCCCA nationally ranked teams, No. 1 Northern Arizona, No. Â 5 Iowa State, No. 7 Stanford, No. 9 Wisconsin and No. 24 Purdue. Representing the Mountain region is top-ranked Northern Arizona and No. 13 Northern Colorado.
The women's race features some top-notch competition from the Midwest Region in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa as well as other competitors, South Dakota, Doane and Nebraska-Omaha.
The ladies will be looking to make a dynamic statement after returning to training following the University of Wyoming meet.
"Everyone is healthy and ready to go, we have some fires lit beneath us that are fueling the energy to get out and put up some good times," assistant coach Stormie Sickler said. "We're working on continuing to improve each and every day. Our goal is to be at our peak performance when championship season comes and that process continues on Saturday by improving from our times that we posted at the Wyoming Invite."
At its core, the John McNichols and the Greeno/Dirksen Invitationals are the next phase of the progression for Angel's teams as they strive to improve each week ahead of the high-stakes meets later in the fall.
"These competitions will be another stepping stone as we prepare for the Big Sky championships in November," Angel said. "With the quality and depth of the field being so high, we will be tested. These are the experiences that we need for us to be at our best later in the season when its counts".
To stay up to date on all things UNC cross country, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on social media at @UNC_BearsTF.
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