The University of Akron Athletics
Men?s Cross Country Team to Compete in Indiana Open on Saturday
September 10 | Cross Country
AKRON, Ohio- The University of Akron men's cross country team is set to compete at the Indiana Open on Saturday in Bloomington, Indiana. The meet, held on IU's Championship Cross Country Course, is set for 10 a.m. and will be the Zips first 8k race of the year.
The young Zips will look to use this race to gain experience, as they will be competing against a veteran Indiana team that placed fifth in last seasons Great Lakes Regional.
"We are going to use this as a learning experience," said UA men's head coach Lee LaBadie, "this race will be help us learn what it takes to run with a more experienced team."
This season's Great Lakes Regional will be held on the same course at Indiana on November 14.
"The Indiana Open will give our guys great experience running on this course, which should prove to be valuable at the Great Lakes Regional," commented LaBadie.
Junior Joe McCoy should pace the Zips this week after setting the UA record at last week's Tommy Evans Invitation with a 20:37 on the four-mile course. Sophomores Gus Dudek and Adam Stackpole will look to improve their times and help lead the Zips.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Joe, Gus, and Adam improve on their times and be the first three Akron runners to cross the finish line," said coach LaBadie.
UA's freshmen, Dan Jackisch, Heath Harris, and Zach Goulet , will be competing in only their second meet and first 8k race of their young collegiate careers.
"This race will be a great experience builder for our freshmen," noted Labadie. "All of the freshmen ran well last week and I expect more of the same from them this week."
Meet recaps and times will be posted on GoZips.com after the race on Saturday.
Both the men's and women's team will make the trip to Buffalo, N.Y. for the annual Buffalo Stampede next Saturday, September 19.
