Time Change: Early Bird Invitational

Sept. 2, 2015

TIME CHANGE: Due to the extreme heat, the start of Friday’s cross country meet has been delayed 30 minutes. The women’s 3k will start at 6:30 p.m. The men’s 6k begins at 7 p.m.

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams kick off the 2015 season hosting the Hawkeye Early Bird Invitational on Friday. The Hawkeyes host Illinois State, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa at the Ashton Cross Country Course. The women’s 3,000-meter race begins at 6 p.m. (CT). The men run the 6,000 meters at 6:45 p.m. Admission is free.

HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS
The men’s cross country team added 13 student-athletes to its 2015 roster — Michael Destache, Andrew Dixon, Ian Eklin, Bailey Hesse-Withbroe, David Kampf, Kallin Khan, Eric Lenz, Christian Moore, Jack Moss, Cole Mullins, Daniel Murphy, Charles Nash, Daniel Soto, Dylan Southall. Ashley Espinosa, Maaike Frerking, Lauren Opatrny, Abby Sears, Andrea Shine, and Madison Waymire are new additions to the women’s team.

A LOOK INTO THE 2015 SEASON
The Hawkeye women return four student-athletes from its 2014 Big Ten Championships lineup, including Marta Bote Gonzalez (So.), Kelly Breen (So.), Carolyn Newhouse (Jr.), and Tess Wilberding (Jr.). Seven men from last year’s Big Ten lineup return, including Ben Anderson (Jr.), Kevin Docherty (Jr.), Nate Ferree (Jr.), Sam Fourman (graduate student), Anthony Gregorio (Sr.), Daniel Huff (Jr.), and Michael Melchert (So.).

IN THE RANKINGS
The University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country teams are ranked seventh and 11th, respectively, in the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association preseason regional polls. The Hawkeye men are ranked in the same position they finished at the 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional, while the Hawkeye women moved up two positions from their 13th place finish at the 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional.

NEWHOUSE, ANDERSON OUT IN FRONT
Junior Carolyn Newhouse returns as Iowa’s top performer in the women’s 5,000 meters (17:39.9). She was Iowa’s top runner in two races, and placed among the Hawkeyes’ top three on five occasions. She was one of two Hawkeyes (Jocelyn Todd) to compete in all seven races last season, and was the 2014 recipient of Iowa’s Big Ten sportsmanship award.

Junior Ben Anderson was Iowa’s top finisher in two races last season and was the second Hawkeye to cross the finish in three races. He was one of two Hawkeyes (Anthony Gregorio) to compete at all seven meets.

HEAD COACH LAYNE ANDERSON
Layne Anderson is in his 13th year as head coach of Iowa women’s cross country team, and second year as head coach of the men’s cross country team. He has coached seven All-Americans and one Big Ten champion.

ASSISTANT COACHES
Jon Michael Brandt is in his second season volunteer assistant coach. Brandt was a five-time letterwinner for Iowa, finishing his collegiate career with a 15th place finish at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 meters. Kevin Lewis returns to the cross country team this season as a volunteer student-assistant coach. He was a seven-time letterwinner for the Hawkeyes in cross country and track and field from 2011-2015.

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