Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) cross country runners have waited nearly two full years to return to the course. That wait is almost over as MIAC cross country teams will be back in action for an anticipated full fall season this September.
Cross country teams had limited competitive opportunities during the 2020-21 academic year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Regular season meets are now officially back on the calendar and set to begin as early as Wednesday, September 1. The conference season will conclude with the 2021 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships hosted by St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. on Saturday, October 30.
NCAA Regional competition will take place two weeks later on Saturday, November 13 in Colfax, Wis. The 2021 Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships are scheduled for the following weekend on Saturday, November 20 at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky.
Leading up to the 2021 Championships, the MIAC will honor outstanding individual performances each Tuesday with the announcement of the men’s and women’s cross country Athletes of the Week. Weekly selections will begin on Tuesday, September 7.
As health and safety guidelines are likely to remain in place for some time, fans are encouraged to review the MIAC COVID-19 Competition Plan and refer to each campus’ protocols prior to attending events this fall.
LAST TIME OUT
2019 MIAC Champions: Carleton (men’s and women’s)
2019 NCAA Championship Berths: Carleton (women’s); Carleton, St. Olaf, St. Thomas (men’s)
2019 NCAA Championship Individual Competitors: Ezekiel Lelinga | Bethel, Garet Grant | Gustavus, Andrew Stumbo | Gustavus, Fernando Benitez | Hamline, Frank Gustafson | Hamline (men’s); Tierney Winter | Gustavus, Helen Dolan | Hamline, Bryony Hawgood | St. Olaf, Sara Ness | St. Thomas (women’s)
2019 Men’s Athlete of the Year: Matthew Wilkinson | Carleton
2019 Men’s Coach of the Year: Dave Ricks | Carleton
2019 Women’s Athlete of the Year: Amanda Mosborg | Carleton
2019 Women’s Coach of the Year: Donna Ricks | Carleton
LOOKING AHEAD
USTFCCCA Rankings: No. 16 Carleton, No. 30 St. Olaf (women’s); No. 25 St. Olaf (men’s)
First Non-Conference Date: Wednesday, September 1
MIAC Championship Date: October 30 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.
(info courtesy of MIAC)