University of North Carolina Athletics
XC Teams Ready For Mountains To Sea Open
September 15, 2017 | Cross Country
BOONE, N.C. - The University of North Carolina cross country teams will face local competition for the second meet in a row when they travel to the Mountains To Sea Open in Boone, N.C. The Tar Heels will race 10 in the men's 8k beginning at 10 a.m. and eight in the women's 5k at 10:35 a.m on the State Farm fields/Kennedy trails course.
In addition to Appalachian State and the Tar Heels, the field is full of North Carolina teams including UNCW, Western Carolina, the College of Charleston. Coastal Carolina, Troy and the Georgia State women will also race in the Open. The Tar Heels are excited to race after two weeks without competition.
"Practice has been great," Head Coach Mark VanAlstyne said. "I think two of the better weeks of practice we've had in the last several years. Really, really excited to see us get another opportunity to race, and specifically an opportunity to address some of the issues we saw the first race."
At the Elon Opener, the teams got out slowly and late charges by both weren't enough to take home victories. However, workouts since the race leave VanAlstyne confident the teams will start aggressively on Saturday.
On the men's side, Logan Carrol, Carl Geiger, Brodie Modini, Mark Myers, Luke Peterson, Mitch Resor, Matt Thornton and Brandon Tubby will be racing in their second meets of the fall, with Jeremy Brown joining for his first outing this year.
On the women's side, Morgan Ilse will take the cross country course for the first time in 2017 since earning All-ACC honors in 2016. She will be joined by Emma Astrike-Davis, Made Clahane, Erin Edmundson, Casey Greenwalt, Lindsey Lanier, Blair Ramsey and Ashley Smith who are all racing for the second time this fall.
"Morgan has looked really, really good," VanAlstyne said. "All of her workouts are better than they were at this point last year when she finished the season 16th in the ACC."
The Tar Heels are returning to Boone for the first time since 2014.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow @UNCTrack_Field on Twitter to receive information as results are made available. A meet recap and results will be posted on GoHeels.com following the completion of competition.
