As the fall heats up, so does the Cross Country season. Both the mens’ and womens’ squads will begin competition this weekend in Lawrence, Kansas at the Bob Timmons Classic. 

The men’s squad is coming off a 4th place finish at the NCAA National Championships in November of last year. The squad is also coming off a 2019 Big 12 Championship.

Even though senior National Champion Edwin Kurgat is no longer on the roster, the Cyclones have depth within the mens’ squads. Senior Thomas Pollard is on the 2020 roster for the Cyclones. Pollard gained Big 12 honors last fall. 

The womens’ cross country squad is also coming off a 4th place finish at the NCAA National Championships in November of last year. 

This fall, the women’s team has senior runner, Cailie Logue on the current roster. Logue is the 2019 Big 12 Women’s Cross Country Runner of the year. Logue is also a Cross Country All American. Logue runs for both the Cross Country and Track teams at ISU and brings talent to both squads.

The successes of last season make way for the squads to perform at the three meets they have this fall : the Bob Timmons Classic, the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri, and the Big 12 Championship in Lawrence, Kansas.

The NCAA Championships have the possibility of being moved to the spring due to the evolving pandemic.

With COVID planning and execution looming overhead, the schedule is shorter than years prior. There are only 3 planned meets instead of the usual 6-7. This means that progression and improvement is crucial sooner than later. 

At the meet itself, there will be testing protocols. According to Kansas University, athletes who are planning to travel to the meet must have a PCR test 72 hours before the date of travel and an antigen test 24 hours before the date of travel. 

Runners also must wear a mask at all times except warm ups and when the race has started. 

There are no spectators allowed at the event to limit the spread of COVID. No one except coaches, runners, and staff will be allowed on the property the morning of the races.

The meet procedures look different than prior years, but are being maximized to prevent the risk of COVID, but to continue the meet and cross country experience. 

The meet this Saturday starts at 9am for the men’s squad and 10am for the women’s squad.