The ISU men’s and women’s cross-country programs, under the direction of Martin Smith, are about a month removed from their 2015 season debuts.

The women’s team returns after finishing first at both the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Midwest Regional and second at the NCAA Championship in 2014.

The men’s team is also coming off a good 2014 campaign in which the group finished third in consecutive meets at the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Midwest Regional but fell short of qualifying as a team to nationals.

Both teams will open the season at the Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational on Sept. 4 at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City. The men will compete in three regular season meets, while the women will compete in five.

The 2015 postseason will begin with the Big 12 Championship on Oct. 31 in Stillwater, Okla.

The NCAA Midwest Regional will follow on Nov. 13 in Lawrence, Kan.

Louisville, Ky., will host the NCAA Championship and conclude the season on Nov. 21.

Schedule

Friday, Sept. 4 – Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational in Iowa City

Friday, Sept. 11 – Oz Memorial (women only) in Minneapolis, Minn.

Saturday, Sept. 26 – Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – Greater Louisville Classic (women only) in Louisville, Ky.

Saturday, Oct. 16 – Wisconsin Adidas Invitational – Madison, Wis.

Saturday, Oct. 31 – Big 12 Championship in Stillwater, Okla.

Friday, Nov. 13 – NCAA Midwest Regional in Lawrence, Kan.

Saturday, Nov. 21 – NCAA Championship in Louisville, Ky.