Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – A week after putting forth strong performances at the ACC Championships, the Virginia Tech men’s and women’s cross country teams return to action on Friday at the annual Hokie Open held at the Buford Meredith Cross Country Course on Tech’s campus.
Most of the Hokies’ top runners will not be competing at the meet, as head coach Ben Thomas will hold them out in preparation for the NCAA Southeast Regional meet next Friday in Charlottesville, Virginia. The race serves as more of an opportunity to allow some of the younger, inexperienced runners on the rosters to gain race experience.
A year ago, Andrew Gaiser won the men’s race with a time of 18 minutes, 29.4 seconds. That win arguably propelled him into track season, where he scored at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and also into this fall. He has been the Hokies’ most consistent runner, with five top-20 finishes.
On the women’s side, Emily Beatty won this race last year and figures to be a contender again this year, along with teammates such as Jillian Everly, Jennifer Fleming, Alyssa Shupe, Shannon Quinn and others.
Liberty and Tennessee will be sending runners to this meet. The competition begins at 4:30 p.m. with the men’s 6K race. The women’s 4K race starts at 5:10 p.m.