North Carolina State University Athletics
Friday, September 18
Cary, N.C. (Wake Med Park)
5:30 p.m.
NC State
vs
adidas XC Challenge
Wolfpack Set to Open Season at adidas XC Challenge
9/15/2015 9:23:00 PM | Cross Country
Races begin Friday at 5:30 p.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State cross country program will open its season on Friday with the adidas XC Challenge at Wake Med Park in Cary, N.C. Races are slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. Both the men and women's teams will aim to repeat as team champions, after the Wolfpack swept the event in 2014.
Also known as the Wolfpack Challenge, the meet enters its 22nd year as one of the largest cross country meets in the state of North Carolina. This year's edition features five different races over two days of competition. The men and women's race will be held on Friday, while the boy and girl's races, as well as the joint community race, are slated for Saturday.
Course Information:
WakeMed Park
940 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
Friday Parking: Free
5K Course Records
Men's Record: Luis Vargas, Elon, 14:29.4, 2014
Women's Record: Juliet Bottorff, Duke, 16:28.9, 2013
Pack in the Polls:
After opening the preseason at No. 18, the women's team has moved up to 16th in the national USTFCCCA polls, while the men's team is still receiving votes.
The Competition:
NC State welcomes North Carolina (19/21), Duke, Elon, Campbell, St. Andrews, Shaw, NC Central, Meredith, William Peace, UNC-Greensboro, Salem, Winston-Salem State, Gardner-Webb, Louisburg and Patrick Henry CC to the course.
Record Watch:
After Sam Parsons and Luis Vargas broke the course record at last year's Wolfpack Invitational as opponents, the duo will be back in action as teammates. Vargas transferred from Elon this summer with one season of track eligibility. He will run unattached, while Parsons will attempt to re-break the record as a senior.
For the Strength of the Wolf is the Pack:
Historically, the men's team has run together at the adidas XC Challenge. In 2014, Wolfpackers took 14 out of the top 16 spots, and the top-5 scorers crossed the finish line within 17 seconds of each other.
It was no different for the women, who also dominated last year's meet, sweeping the top-three spots and finishing the race with nine of the top-15 times.
Plenty to Prove:
With 25 women and 20 men on the roster, there is strong intra-squad competition. Friday's race will be an opportunity for the Wolfpack to test its depth and find out who could earn spots in the lineup for the rest of the season.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
Hall of Fame: Rollie Geiger
Monday, May 13
EmpowHER - Ally Henson
Wednesday, February 07
NC State Women's Cross Country Wins Third-Straight NCAA Championship
Monday, November 27
NC State Cross Country – 2022 National Champions
Monday, November 28