Buffalo Creek Invitational set for Friday
After two dominating performances in the first two meets of the season, Milligan University’s cross country teams will put their strength to the test once again as they line up against Bryan and Tennessee Wesleyan Friday night. The event, the “Buffalo Creek Invitational,” will take place along the M Training Loop and soccer fields on the west side of campus.
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Sept. 30, 2020) – After two dominating performances in the first two meets of the season, Milligan University's cross country teams will put their strength to the test once again as they line up against Bryan and Tennessee Wesleyan Friday night. The event, the "Buffalo Creek Invitational," will take place along the M Training Loop and soccer fields on the west side of campus.
Action starts with the women's 5k race at 5:30 p.m. The men's 5k race will begin at 6:15 p.m.
"The weather looks great, and this is a fairly fast course so it will be great to see everyone have the opportunity to get a true read on where they are at this point in the season," Head Coach Chris Layne says.
Milligan remains unbeaten through two meets on the 2020 schedule so far. In the opening meet of the season, the Buffs ran away with the Montreat XC Kickoff. Avery DeWolf led a 1-2-3 finish on the women's side while Tim Thacker, Aaron Jones and Eli Cramer led a 2-3-4 finish on the men's side.
Last week, the Buffs followed with a one-sided result at Bryan, traveling without the top five women and top 10 men and still defeating the Lions in the head-to-head meet. Evan Henson led the men while freshman Kaelyn Slaughter led the women, both earning Appalachian Athletic Conference runner of the week for their efforts.
"I'm really pleased with where we are right now on both sides," Layne says. "Our kids did a great job with being ready to go this fall. Like most years, we just need to get the back half of our top 7-9 solidified, and we feel good about being able to do so."
Layne also notes the excitement the team feels about hosting another race on campus.
"I just like that it simplifies things for us," he says. "They get to stay in their normal routine, walk down the hill and compete. To do that once a year is pretty cool. I also like the fact that we are able to lay out a course that is suitable to getting a good read on our fitness in hopes of showcasing the level of talent in both of these programs."