July 19, 2012
» Complete Cross Country Schedule SEATTLE - The course has been mapped out for the 2012 Husky cross country season, starting at the end of August and running on through mid-November. The route features some new stops for the UW distance runners, and is highlighted by the NCAA West Regional meet, which Washington is hosting for the first time since 1995. The biggest change on the schedule this fall is the end destination for the nation's cross country teams. After eight consecutive years culminating in Terre Haute, Ind., the site for the NCAA Cross Country Championships is moving. Louisville, Ky. will host this year's meet at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park on November 17. To reach that meet, the Huskies will enjoy some hometown support as they host West Regionals at Jefferson Park Golf Course on Nov. 9. Washington hosted the Pac-12 Championships on the same course in 2010. The last time West Regionals were in the Puget Sound area was 1985 when they were run in Bellevue. The Husky women's team has won four consecutive West Region titles. As was the case last season, the Huskies will open with an informal race in Seattle at a spot to be determined. Last year the teams ran at Magnuson Park. The date for that race is August 31. Two weeks later, the season begins in earnest with the annual Sundodger Invitational at Lincoln Park in West Seattle on Sept. 15. The men's and women's teams go their separate ways for a rare occasion on Sept. 29, with the women heading to Louisville for an early glimpse at the new national course in the Greater Louisville Classic. The men will be in Eugene, Ore. for the annual Bill Dellinger Invitational which always assembles a tough field. From there, both Husky teams will be on their way to the Wisconsin adidas Invitational in Madison for the second year in a row. Last year, the Husky women's team won the meet against a huge field, propelling them from 24th in the rankings up to second. The 2012 Pac-12 Championships will be hosted by UCLA this fall at the Robinson's Ranch Golf Course in the Los Angeles area. Husky All-American Katie Flood is the defending champion on the women's side. From there it's back to Seattle for Regionals and a shot at reaching the NCAA meet. |
