TEMPE – The new-look Sun Devil cross country teams will get their 2019 campaigns started this Saturday as the men's and women's squads take on a field of in-state rivals at the Cactus Opener in Tucson, Arizona.
Along with hosts Arizona, the Sun Devils will race against the GCU Lopes at the meet slated to get going at 6:45 a.m. PT at Silver Lake Park.
When the gun goes off for the women's 2.7-mile run at 6:45, it will mark the official start to the Cory Leslie era as last year's men's head coach was promoted to head cross country coach for both genders over the summer.
"I think everyone's chomping at the bit," Leslie said. "It's been a long time since we've had a chance to go through a race day, so the entire group is excited to get going."
Leslie's women's squad enters 2019 with a mix of new and familiar faces expected to compete for the team's top-seven. Although the team lost Anna Pruter and Samantha Ortega, most of last year's squad who took the T-Cup Series point remains including Alexis Nichols, Courtney Lewis, Megan Reniewicki and Daan Haven.
The men's side still brings back a handful of its scorers from a season ago, including Jackson Lewis and Irish Junior champion Fearghal Curtin.
"On the men's side, the only two people we won't take this weekend are Fearghal – who's coming off of a long season of racing – and Conant Smith because he's still getting back into the swing of things," Leslie said. "We'll take everybody on the women's side and most of the men, so we'll be able to suit up and shake off whatever rust there might be."
For live results of the 2.7-mile women's race and 3.7-mile men's race, visit finishedresults.com.
A recap of the Sun Devils' day in Tucson will be available at thesundevils.com following the completion of the event.
Along with hosts Arizona, the Sun Devils will race against the GCU Lopes at the meet slated to get going at 6:45 a.m. PT at Silver Lake Park.
When the gun goes off for the women's 2.7-mile run at 6:45, it will mark the official start to the Cory Leslie era as last year's men's head coach was promoted to head cross country coach for both genders over the summer.
"I think everyone's chomping at the bit," Leslie said. "It's been a long time since we've had a chance to go through a race day, so the entire group is excited to get going."
Leslie's women's squad enters 2019 with a mix of new and familiar faces expected to compete for the team's top-seven. Although the team lost Anna Pruter and Samantha Ortega, most of last year's squad who took the T-Cup Series point remains including Alexis Nichols, Courtney Lewis, Megan Reniewicki and Daan Haven.
The men's side still brings back a handful of its scorers from a season ago, including Jackson Lewis and Irish Junior champion Fearghal Curtin.
Fearghal Curtis takes ?? in 1,500 at the Ireland Athletics Senior Championships!
— Sun Devil TFXC (@SunDevilTFXC) July 28, 2019
He won the Ireland U23 title in the 1,500 earlier this month! #ForksUp???? pic.twitter.com/PWUQLsbX0u
"On the men's side, the only two people we won't take this weekend are Fearghal – who's coming off of a long season of racing – and Conant Smith because he's still getting back into the swing of things," Leslie said. "We'll take everybody on the women's side and most of the men, so we'll be able to suit up and shake off whatever rust there might be."
For live results of the 2.7-mile women's race and 3.7-mile men's race, visit finishedresults.com.
A recap of the Sun Devils' day in Tucson will be available at thesundevils.com following the completion of the event.