Saturday, September 2
Wichita, Kan.
8:30 a.m.
Kansas State University
at
JK Gold Classic
Cross Country Opens 2017 Season at JK Gold Invite
Aug 31, 2017 | Cross Country
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State men's and women's cross country teams will kick off the 2017 season on Saturday, as the Wildcats travel to Wichita to compete in the 69th Annual JK Gold Invite hosted by Wichita State.
The men's 6k race begins at 8:30 a.m., on Saturday and is followed by the women's 4k race at 9:00 a.m. Both teams will compete in a field of 10 teams and race through Raft Golf Course. A map of the course can be found here.
The men's team is coming off an eighth-place finish at the 2016 Big 12 Championship and returns 13 runners in 2017. Fourth-year head coach Ryun Godfrey is looking to expand on the 2016 season, and get off to a hot start at the JK Gold Invitational.
"They guys have been impressive in the way that they have been able to work together," Godfrey said. "From a training standpoint, they have been running together and we're looking to take that same mentality into the race and get a good effort in and keep them together as a pack."
Of the returning runners, the Wildcats will bring back six seniors to lead the team in 2017, including Brett Bachman and Colton Donahue. Along with the six seniors, the men bring back three juniors, four sophomores and welcome four freshmen to the team.
"Everyone is excited, we have a very experienced team, so we're looking forward to see what that experience can do for us," Bachman said.
On the women's side, the Wildcats look to build upon a 2017 season that finished 10th in the Big 12 Championship, and will need to replace their top runner of 2016, Morgan Wedekind. The team has one returning senior in Kayla Doll, and will feature three underclassmen on their roster.
"We're having to rely on some freshman. I think it's exciting for them to put on a new uniform and compete as a college athlete, so that part of it is exciting for them," Godfrey said. "The ultimate goal is always on October and what happens there, the first meet is a stepping stone."
Doll is entering her senior year after finishing 44th at the Big 12 Championship in 2016 and is joined by junior Emma Wren, who ran a personal best 22:30.5 in the Bradley Invitational last year.
"We have a talented group of underclassmen, and for the first meet it is good for them to get a feel for the competition and get warmed up for the season," Doll said. "For me the first meet is a starting point, as far as the rest of the season goes I would really like to break the 21:00 barrier."
Both teams are excited to get the season underway and continue what they have done in practice, to the course. For more information on the JK Gold Invite, click here.
For the latest on K-State cross country, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter using the hashtag #KStateXC or on the team's Facebook page.
The men's 6k race begins at 8:30 a.m., on Saturday and is followed by the women's 4k race at 9:00 a.m. Both teams will compete in a field of 10 teams and race through Raft Golf Course. A map of the course can be found here.
The men's team is coming off an eighth-place finish at the 2016 Big 12 Championship and returns 13 runners in 2017. Fourth-year head coach Ryun Godfrey is looking to expand on the 2016 season, and get off to a hot start at the JK Gold Invitational.
"They guys have been impressive in the way that they have been able to work together," Godfrey said. "From a training standpoint, they have been running together and we're looking to take that same mentality into the race and get a good effort in and keep them together as a pack."
Of the returning runners, the Wildcats will bring back six seniors to lead the team in 2017, including Brett Bachman and Colton Donahue. Along with the six seniors, the men bring back three juniors, four sophomores and welcome four freshmen to the team.
"Everyone is excited, we have a very experienced team, so we're looking forward to see what that experience can do for us," Bachman said.
On the women's side, the Wildcats look to build upon a 2017 season that finished 10th in the Big 12 Championship, and will need to replace their top runner of 2016, Morgan Wedekind. The team has one returning senior in Kayla Doll, and will feature three underclassmen on their roster.
"We're having to rely on some freshman. I think it's exciting for them to put on a new uniform and compete as a college athlete, so that part of it is exciting for them," Godfrey said. "The ultimate goal is always on October and what happens there, the first meet is a stepping stone."
Doll is entering her senior year after finishing 44th at the Big 12 Championship in 2016 and is joined by junior Emma Wren, who ran a personal best 22:30.5 in the Bradley Invitational last year.
"We have a talented group of underclassmen, and for the first meet it is good for them to get a feel for the competition and get warmed up for the season," Doll said. "For me the first meet is a starting point, as far as the rest of the season goes I would really like to break the 21:00 barrier."
Both teams are excited to get the season underway and continue what they have done in practice, to the course. For more information on the JK Gold Invite, click here.
For the latest on K-State cross country, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter using the hashtag #KStateXC or on the team's Facebook page.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
K-State Track and Field | Tyson Invitational Recap
Wednesday, February 18
K-State Track & Field | DeLoss Dodds Invitational Recap
Wednesday, February 04
K-State Track & Field | Thane Baker Invitational Recap
Monday, January 19
K-State XC | NCAA Midwest Regional Recap
Saturday, November 15
