KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan cross country team is set to host the George Dales Invite on Friday at the Prairies Golf Club. The Women's 6K is set for 10 AM, while the Jack Shaw Men's 8K will begin at 10:40 AM. WMU will be joined by Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Oakland.
LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos had a strong showing at the Winrow-Valparaiso Open on Aug. 30.
Lily Overton paced the team by finishing in sixth place with a time of 18:09.80.
Delaney Knoll and
Brooke Soper also placed in the top 25 for the Brown and Gold. Knoll collected 23rd place with a time of 18:47.60, while Soper crossed the finish line in 25th place in a time of 18:50.00.
2019 GEORGE DALES INVITE
The Broncos haven't hosted the George Dales Invite since 2019, which saw WMU battle with Eastern Michigan in a dual meet. In that meet, Western Michigan was led by Brittney Hall, who placed fourth with a time of 18:12.51. Paisley Sipes also finished in the top 10 of the race.
SEASON DEBUTS
Though the Broncos are a young team, they do have some key returners for the 2024 season. Two of the top returners will be
Lillian Zelasko and
CJ Nixon. Both will be making their season debuts on Friday afternoon.
Zelasko missed last cross country season but is a multiple time All-State runner from Indiana, while Nixon finished in the top-40 at last year's MAC Championship meet.
WHO'S RUNNING?
In total, the Brown and Gold will send 13 runners out on the course tomorrow afternoon. That includes:
Rebekah Asselin (Season Debut)
Grace Aurand
Madison Clor
Shannon Gillahan (College Debut)
Delaney Knoll
Ava Kurczewski
Lara Machado Pereira (College Debut)
Larissa McGrath (Season Debut)
CJ Nixon (Season Debut)
Lily Overton
Lauren Sancrant
Brooke Soper
Lillian Zelasko (College Debut)
