The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks are ready to kick off cross country season at the 42nd Annual George Kyte Classic this Saturday at Buffalo Park. The men's race will be 4.5 miles and will begin at 1:30 pm.m MST, while the women's race will be 2.5 miles and will begin at 2:30 p.m. MST.
The University of Arizona, Central Arizona, Coconino Community College, Embry-Riddle, Estrella Mountain Community College, Fort Lewis, Grand Canyon, Mesa Community College, Ottawa, Phoenix College, Pima Community College, and Utah Tech will be attending the meet.
Last season's George Kyte Classic ended in victory for the Lumberjacks with senior returner Ryan Raff claiming the win in the men's race and now alumni Pipi Eitel leading the women. The men's squad scored just 15 points for an easy win, with the women scoring 19 points to bring home the victory as well.
The Jacks are coming off a highly successful 2021 season, which saw the men's team win their fifth NCAA National Championship in six years. Four of five scorers from that championship team will return for this season, including Nico Young who has quickly solidified his place as one of the nation's top distance runners.
The women's team had a successful season of their own, with returner Taryn O'Neill placing first at the Mountain Regionals to lead the team to a sixth-place finish. A week later they finished 23rd overall at the NCAA Championships.
A team of NAU alumni will also run in the open division at the George Kyte Classic. Matt Baxter will lead the team also consisting of Cade Burks, Blaise Ferro, Aldo Marquez, and Harvey Nelson.
Original source can be found here.
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