CROSS COUNTRY NOTEBOOK
The University of Vermont men's and women's cross country teams returns to Hard'Ack Recreation Area on Saturday (Oct. 19) for the Fall Foliage Invitational in St. Albans.
 
The Catamount women kick off the meet with the 5k race at 1 p.m., followed by the men's 8k race at 1:45 p.m.
 
RELATED LINKS
Women's 5k at 1 p.m. – Live Results
Men's 8k at 1:45 p.m. – Live Results

COACH'S QUOTE
"While there is much to accomplish in these races – such as going after two team wins and getting ready for our America East Championships – it's really about keeping the plan simple," said head coach Matt Belfield. "We need to use our physical, mental and emotional energy well throughout the 5000 and 8000 meters.  We expect everyone to be totally committed to our team success. Some are running their last cross country race for UVM this weekend, and we need to honor them with our collective best effort. We're excited to be racing at home in Vermont one more time this fall, and I'm optimistic that we'll have a successful outcome."
 
FALL FOLIAGE PREVIEW
UVM cross country makes its second start of the season at Hard'Ack Recreation Area on Saturday afternoon after hosting UMass Lowell earlier in the year to open the season.
 
The Catamounts will be the hosting the Bryant Bulldogs and Sacred Heart Pioineers who both competed in the Fall Foliage Invite a season ago. Last week, the Bulldogs men and women finished in 21st at the New England Championships. The Sacred Heart women finished 12th in New England's while the men took 24th.
 
Vermont also hosts the Siena Saints who last competed with the Catamounts two weeks ago at the Paul Short Invite. The Siena women finished 31st while the men placed 34th at the Lehigh University meet.
 
America East foe New Hampshire will send its men's team up to St. Albans for Saturday's meet. The Wildcats finished in 12th at the New England Championships a week ago and are currently outside of the Northeast Region's top 15.

LAST YEAR'S FALL FOLIAGE INVITE | CatamounTV Highlights
Last year, the Catamounts swept the Fall Foliage Invite earning 15 points each against Sacred Heart and Bryant. Lauren Trumble '19 led the UVM women and Matt Hynes paced the men with a career-best 8k time of 25:07.4 to earn America East Male Performer of the Week honors. Click here for CatamounTV highlights from last year's meet.
 
LOOKING BACK AT THE PAUL SHORT INVITE | Recap
The Vermont Catamounts men's and women's cross country teams saw many personal records set in a strong showing two weeks ago at the Paul Short Invitational, hosted by Lehigh University.
 
Bel Sogoloff paced the Catamount women (541 pts.) who finished 17th in the Women's Gold 6k. The Vermont men finished 25th (642 pts.) with senior captain John Benner leading the way. Benner's 8k time of 24:12.8 is one of the fastest record times in UVM men's cross country history. Head coach Matt Belfield described Benner's race as "simply the best cross country race by a man in Joe Gingras' and my time at UVM."
 
All of Vermont's scorers set personal-best marks in a very competitive race in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Click here for a full recap of the Invite.
 
CATS IN THE RANKINGS | USTFCCCA
Vermont's women's cross country team is currently ranked 11th in the Northeast Region while the men hold the 15th spot, according to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
 
The No. 11 ranking is the highest for the Catamount women since the program first hit the USTFCCCA rankings in 2009. The Vermont women reached as high as 12th in the Northeast a season ago, but turned in a 16th-place finish at the regional championship.
 
Last season, the Catamount men recorded their highest Northeast Region finish in program history (13th) at the regional championship in Buffalo.
 
AMERICA EAST SPREAD RESPECT
The Vermont Student-Athlete Advisory Council will kick off its first Spread Respect event at Saturday's Fall Foliage Invitational.
 
Spread Respect is an America East initiative that aims to promote diversity and inclusion in sport regardless of a person's race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any other identification. Spread Respect is also an opportunity to celebrate our differences through the shared love of sport.
 
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Fall Foliage Invitational is Vermont cross country's final tune-up before the America East Championships on Nov. 2 in Albany, New York.
 
In the USTFCCCA poll, the Catamount women are currently the second-ranked America East team in the Northeast Region behind New Hampshire who is seventh in the poll.
 
The Vermont men trail conference foes Stony Brook and UMass Lowell, who are third and seventh, respectively in the Northeast Region.
 
Women's cross country finished third in the conference championship last year while the men turned in a fourth-place finish.