CROSS COUNTRY NOTEBOOK
The UVM men's and women's cross country teams begin the 2021 season on Saturday (Sep. 4) for the Vermont Invite, hosted at Hard'Ack Recreation Area in St. Albans. The women's 5K race kicks off the day at 12 p.m., followed by the men's 8K at 12:45 p.m. The Catamounts will compete against conference foe UMass Lowell along with Northeastern and UMass.
 
RELATED LINKS
Live Results: Women's 5K | Men's 8K
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Our teams are very excited for our first fall cross country race in a couple years," said head coach Matt Belfield. "We have a mix of savvy veterans and motivated newcomers that have worked hard to prepare for this season. While the women are not as experienced as we have been the last couple years, I am optimistic that we will be competitive in all of our races this fall. The men have many seniors, but some will be counted on in a way they haven't been challenged to be previously. Coach Joe Gingras will have these men ready when the time comes for championships. We have formidable opponents this weekend with historicially strong programs. It will be a nice test for our teams."
 
VERMONT WOMEN IN THE REGIONAL RANKINGS
The Catamount women earned a No. 12 ranking in the 2021 USTFCCCA Northeast Region Preseason Poll. Vermont was the second-ranked America East team, behind only UMass Lowell at No. 8.
 
SCOUTING THE FIELD
A strong UMass Lowell squad enters Saturday's meet. The River Hawks carry a No. 4 ranking in the men's Northeast Region preseason poll while the women were ranked No. 8. UML won both the America East Men's and Women's Championships last season.
 
The Northeastern men are the defending Colonial Athletic Association champions and rank No. 7 in the preseason regional poll. The women are ranked No. 11 after a second-place finish in the CAA Championship last season.
 
The UMass women posted a fifth-place finish in the Atlantic-10 Championship a season go. Last year men's cross country team finished 10th in the A-10 Championship.
 
LOOKING BACK AT LAST SEASON
The Catamounts entered only two meets last year due to a COVID-altered season, which saw the traditionally fall schedule moved to February and early March. Vermont's Lily Porth, Annemarie Martell, and Matt Hynes earned All-Conference honors for their strong performances at the America East Championships. The UVM women placed second in the conference championship for the second consecutive season, while the men finished third.
 
RETURN TO HARD'ACK
Vermont will return to Hard'Ack Recreation Area on October 16 for the annual Fall Foliage Invitational. The Saturday afternoon meet is scheduled to be the Catamounts' final tune-up before the America East Championships on October 29.
 
WOMEN'S XC CAPTAINS | Release
The Vermont women's cross country teams have selected Meaghan Alba, Jane Leighton, and Bel Sogoloff to serve as captains for the 2021 season.