UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State cross country program is headed to Madison, Wisconsin, to toe the line against national competition at the 2018 Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational. The meet takes place at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course on Friday, Sept. 28. The women's 6K is slated for 1:20 p.m. (EDT) and the men's 8K will take place at 2 p.m. (EDT).
FOLLOW ALONG
The meet will be streamed live on FloTrack, but viewers must have an account to access the stream. Live results can be found on uwbadgers.com.
THE COMPETITION
Thirty-nine teams are scheduled to partake in the women's race, which includes 15 ranked teams. Of those 15 ranked teams, seven are ranked in the top-10. Thirty-seven teams are scheduled to compete in the men's race, which includes 19 ranked teams. Of those 19 ranked teams, seven are ranked in the top-10.
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions last competed on Sept. 7 at the Spiked Shoe Invitational at the Blue-White Golf Course. As a team, the Penn State women brought home the team title with a score of 32 points, while the Penn State men placed second with a score of 57 points.
Individually, senior Colin Abert defended his Spiked Shoe title from 2017 with a time of 25:25, and on the women's side, freshman Julia Paternain crossed the finish line in 20:50.
IN THE RANKINGS
Nationally, the Penn State women are ranked No. 13. At the regional level, the women are No. 2 and the Penn State men are No. 4.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK HONORS
The Nittany Lions have combined for four athlete of the week honors. On the year, Colin Abert has been named the Big Ten Athlete of the Week twice (Sept. 5 & 12) and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week once (Sept. 10). Along with Abert, Julia Paternain was tabbed the Big Ten Athlete of the Week (Sept. 12).
HOME SWEET HOME
Penn State will host three meets this fall at the Blue-White Golf Course. In addition to the annual Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational (Sept. 7) and the National Open (Oct. 12), the Nittany Lions will host the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship (Nov. 9).
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions do not compete next week as they prep for the National Open on Oct. 12 at the Blue-White Golf Course. The meet is slated for a 10:45 a.m. start.