XC runs Naimadu Classic Saturday

Saturday, October 17

Abilene, Texas

9:45 a.m.

Abilene Christian

Naimadu Classic

ACU women's cross country team at the starting line.

10/16/2020 1:23:00 PM | Cross Country

ABILENE -- Abilene Christian cross country continues its fall tradition of playing host to the annual Naimadu Classic Saturday at 9:45 a.m. at the Wildcats Cross Country Course located along EN 10th street. This year's field includes UTSA and Texas State.

McMurry and Hardin-Simmons will be competing unattached in addition to Wildcats Payne Marquez and Tyler Ratzman later in the day with races commencing at 12:30 and 1:10 p.m.

The event's namesake is Nicodemus Naimadu, who was a four-time NCAA DII Champion for the Wildcats from 2004-07. He was elected to the USTFCCCA DII Hall of Fame in 2015.

The men's 8K starts at 9:45 a.m., while the women's 6K begins at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free.

All teams ask fans that they respect the health of all student-athletes by taking the following measures:

· Wear a mask (all non-runners).
· Maintain a safe distance.
· Not congregating in large groups.
· Paying attention to your surroundings.

Representing the ACU men's team will be Loren Avila, Levi Chambers, Gabe Embree, Cooper Goggans, Luke Hernandez, Kevin Kipkosgei, Maxwel Kiplagat, Denis Lagat and Gabe Trevino.

For the ACU women in their race, it will be Sophia Castro, Haley Efurd, Briahna Gerlach, Hannah Marut, Irene Rono, Destini Smith, Kristen Torres, Ariana Trevino, Sarah Wagler and Grace White.

"We're very excited and thankful to be healthy and to have the opportunity to race tomorrow." said cross country head coach Jarvis Jelen, "and we're thankful that we get to compete against solid programs from Texas State and UTSA."

Saturday's races are UTSA's first of the season and the third for Texas State, which earlier competed at UT Arlington and the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree.

UTSA is a member of Conference USA, and Texas State is part of the Sun Belt Conference.