Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Men's 2014 Schedule | Women's 2014 Schedule

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's and women's cross country teams look to continue last season's  momentum as the Norse compete in an eight-event 2014 schedule, NKU head coach Steve Kruse announced on Wednesday.
 
The two teams kick the season off on Aug. 9 with the 20th Annual Brian Rohne Memorial 5K on the NKU campus.  The event is held in honor of former NKU cross country runner Brian Rohne, who was killed by an automobile in January of 1993 during a training run on the AA Highway in Cold Spring, Ky.
 
Three weeks later, the Norse travel to Dayton, Ohio, to participate in the Dayton Flyer 5K on Aug. 30.  The race will take place at Indian Riffle Park and will be the official start of NKU's competitive season.
 
"The UD race is primarily for our younger folks to get them experience right off the bat," Kruse said.  "It's a well-run race on a course that many of our athletes ran on in high school."
 
NKU will then play host with Cincinnati and Xavier for the 33rd Annual Queen City Invitational at Kingswood Park in Deerfield, Ohio, on Sept. 5.  Last season, the Norse captured the race's Division I men's title after J.J. Webber won his first event of the season.
 
"J.J. had a magical season last year," Kruse said.  "He just so happens to be the best in a good group of runners."
 
The following weekend both teams head to Lexington, Ky., for the Bluegrass Cross Country Invitational.  Hosted by Kentucky, the 5K event will be held at Masterson Station Park on Sept. 13.  On Sept. 27, the Norse will compete in the Rhodes College Invitational at Shelby Farms in Memphis, Tenn., before participating in the Greater Louisville Classic at Tom Sawyer Park on Oct. 5.
 
NKU's final tune-up before the 2014 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship will take place in Boone, N.C. The Norse will take part in the Blue Ridge Open, hosted by Appalachian State, on Oct. 17.
 
"Once we hit the road to Memphis and Appalachian State, it will give us an opportunity to race in warm weather, preparing for the conference championships," Kruse said.  "Our races are chosen specifically for their competitiveness because there will be a lot of nationally-ranked teams that we will be going up against."
 
After a week break, NKU will travel to River City Nature Park in Debary, Fla., for the season-ending conference championship race.  A year ago, both teams significantly improved upon their 2012 finishes, creating the momentum the team hopes to carry into this year.  The men posted a second-place finish, led by event-winner and Atlantic Sun Runner of the Year Webber, after placing sixth in their first league championship.  On the women's side, NKU improved three spots upon the previous season and finished fifth, with Kelly Burrows finishing 19th overall after an impressive freshman season.
 
"We've got a good number of people back from last year, and they know the ropes," Kruse said. "This is certainly an opportunity for leaders to emerge throughout the season."