LITTLE ROCK – Cross country season arrives this weekend as the Little Rock harriers are set to travel to Memphis, Tenn., to take on the Brooks Memphis Twilight Invitational hosted by Christian Brothers University on Saturday night.
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The women's race, a 5K, will begin the 2016 season at 9:20 p.m. The men will follow with a four-mile race at 10 p.m.
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Nearly 30 teams from all levels and all around the region are scheduled to compete against the Trojans. In-state rivals Arkansas State, Arkansas Tech and Central Arkansas will be running as well other Division I schools from the region. Alabama, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tulane and UAB will be the other Division I schools taking part.
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The Trojans will have plenty of new faces this season to go along with nine returners between the men's and women's team.
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For the women,
Sara Claycomb,
Adela Hernandez,
Akeia Joyner,
Tyler Kelly and
Rebeca Solis will be running cross country this season as well
Jasmine Blunt, a middle-distance runner making the transition to longer races this semester. Newcomers
Hunter Paul and Keishona Searles will also be competing for the women. The 2015 Trojan women took fifth place at the Sun Belt Championship.
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As for the men, Little Rock welcomes back
Kenneth Broyles,
Kenn Chumba and
Isaac Lalang. They will be joined by
Imad Amenzou,
Tyler Davis and
Emilio Medina, all new to the Trojan program. Last year, the Trojan men took seventh at the Sun Belt Championship while Lalang reached the national championship race as an individual.
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After Saturday's season-opening race, the Trojans will have just one week to prepare for their next competition on Sept. 10 at Central Arkansas.
