Kentucky at UAB Blazer Classic for Final Cross Country Meet of Regular Season

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The No. 11-ranked Kentucky women’s cross country team and No. 12-ranked men’s squad will be challenged by strong fields as they travel to Birmingham, Alabama for Friday’s UAB Blazer Classic.

Held at Veterans Park, the women’s team will run a 6,000-meter race beginning at 8:45 a.m. EDT.  In addition to Kentucky, the 10-team field in the “Green” division also includes Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.  The 8k men’s “Green” division race will be at 9:15 a.m. and features Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. 

UK assistant track and field coach Hakon DeVries, who works extensively with the cross country and distance runners, sees Friday’s meets as building blocks for the Southeastern Conference Championships.

“We’re going to get a look at some of the top competition in the SEC,” DeVries said. “We’re ramping things up as we get ready for the (SEC) championships.”
Live results will be available at https://xpresstiming.com/Live/2020/XC/UAB/.

Following the UAB Blazer Classic, the Wildcats will point toward the SEC Championships, which will be held Oct. 30 at LSU.

Men’s Team Outlook
The UK men’s lineup in Birmingham will include McLean Griffin, Ryan Maynard, Jonah Mitchell, Harper Moore, Patrick Schaefer, Gabe Szalay, Shane Williams and Aaron Withrow. UK is coming off a third-place finish at the “Live in Lou” Classic on Oct. 3 after a season-opening victory at the Commodore Classic on Sept. 19.
 
Women’s Team Outlook
Ten Wildcats will toe the line in the women’s race, including Rachel Boice, Jenna Gearing, Anna Guerra, Tori Herman, Kaylie Kenne, Kaitlyn Lacy, Madisyn Peeples, Jenna Schwinghamer, Kelli Walsh and Athena Young.  Gearing won the “Live in Lou” Classic on Oct. 3, leading UK to a third-place finish.  The Wildcats won the Commodore Classic on Sept. 19.

The best way to follow the Cats is via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.