Eagles Take On SAC XC Championship
Eagles look to close out conference competition at the South Atlantic Conference Championships this Saturday morning.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman cross country is set to return to Greeneville, Tenn., for the South Atlantic Conference Cross Country Championships this Saturday, Oct. 25, with races beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The Eagles have taken advantage of a few weeks off to rest and prepare ahead of this weekend's championship at Kinser Park Golf Course, the same course that hosted the SAC Preview meet earlier this season.
"Following a successful Georgia Tech Invitational, we've had two additional weeks to focus on training and putting the final touches on preparing for conference and regional championships," said head coach Brent Borden. "Both men and women have stacked some excellent workouts and volume together over the last two weeks. We did our last big workout on Monday, so we've dropped the volume this week to feel fresh for Saturday."
At the SAC Preview meet in September, the Carson-Newman women finished second overall, while the men placed sixth.
"Having raced this course earlier in the season, the team has a solid foundation for mental imagery and strategy," Borden said. "Since then, we've done more workouts to simulate the steep hills that Tusculum's course includes. Our team just has to focus on competing and running with a pack mentality this weekend, throwing any time goals out the window."
The Eagles face a tough test this weekend, as the SAC field features several nationally ranked teams.
"The women have a strong shot to move up within the conference ranks," said Borden. "Our conference is one of the strongest in the region, with six of the top 10 Southeast Regional teams. Our main competitors for that fourth or fifth spot will be LMU and Lenoir-Rhyne. This year has been more of a rebuild for the men, so we're looking for strong individual performances and to compete with Emory & Henry and Mars Hill to finish in the top half of the conference."
Borden will look to his upperclassmen leaders to guide the team and make a push toward the NCAA Regionals.
"I'm looking forward to this weekend for several reasons," Borden said. "Most importantly, this is a chance for our team to compete despite any challenges the course presents. This is the time of year when all the hard work from summer and fall comes together. Those who have shown consistency throughout the season will show up on race day when it matters."
Carson-Newman will next compete at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championships at the Wingate Cross Country Course in Wingate, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Stay connected with Carson-Newman cross country by following @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram, or by liking Carson-Newman Athletics on Facebook. For more information and updates, visit cneagles.com.
