Region’s top teams await Eagles at Falcon Classic
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman cross country team gets a chance to preview the site of the NCAA Southeast Regional Meet this weekend at the Falcon Classic in Montevallo, Ala.
But the Eagles are not the only team previewing the postseason course. In fact, most of the top teams in the region, according to the U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, will be racing on the University of Montevallo's campus.
"We just really want to take a look at the course so we can go ahead and tweak any of the training that we need to so we can be the most prepared that we can be," coach Tony Parrilla said. "And as far as the competition, that's pretty much what we want."
Eight of the Southeast region's top 10 teams will be competing in the women's competition. Montevallo, the meet's host, is top team of the region, South Atlantic conference foes Wingate, the third-ranked team in the Southeast, and No. 4 Queens and fellow Tennessee school King sits fifth.
Junior Hannah Kiser (Cedar Park, Texas) has consistently placed as one of Carson-Newman's top female runner. Each of the last three meets, the Texan has finished seconds behind freshman Tori Gaul (Salisbury, N.C.)
On the men's side, seven of the top 10 teams will be racing in the Yellowhammer State including the region's top-five teams. Top-ranked Mount Olive, No. 2 Mars Hill, third-ranked Columbus State, No. 4 Queens and fifth-ranked King.
Last week at the Royal Cross Country Challenge, freshman Luke Greer led the Eagles. That was the first meet of the season that fellow freshman Lachlan Dickie (Knoxviile, Tenn.) did not lead the team.
"That's what the kids want on the team and that's what I need to see as a coach," Parrilla said in regards to where his team will stack up in regards to the competition.
The Falcon Classic is the final meet of the Eagles' regular season as the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference takes place in two weeks in Salisbury, N.C.
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