ELON, N.C. – Elon head men’s cross country coach Christine Engel has announced the 2010 men’s cross country slate which includes five meets, including a home meet on September 18.

Engel, who is entering her third year at the helm, coached Matt Richardson to Elon’s first-ever All-Southern Conference performance last season. It was also the first time since 1996 that a member of the Elon men’s cross country team earned a spot on an all-conference team.  Under her guidance, Justin Gianni set new school records in both the 8K and 10K and the team tied its highest finish at the Southern Conference Championship. Elon was also named a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team for the fifth time in program history.

The squad will open the season on September 3 at the Covered Bridge Open before hosting the Elon Invitational on September 18.

“I am very excited to be hosting a home meet for the second straight year,” Engel said. “We had some very positive feedback about the meet and course last year. The Elon Invitational is a great opportunity for our athletes to compete at home and gives the Elon community a chance to watch the team in action.”
 
On October 2, part of the Elon squad will get a preview of the NCAA Regional meet as it competes in the Louisville Classic, while others will compete at the Hagan Stone Classic in Greensboro, N.C. On October 15, the Phoenix is scheduled to run in the Royal Cross Country Challenge in Charlotte, N.C.
 
Appalachian State is set to host the Southern Conference Championship on October 30. Elon will compete at the NC State meet on October 31.
 
The NCAA Regional will be held November 14 in Louisville, Ky., and the NCAA Championship will follow on November 22.

Engel states, “Our schedule this season will allow us the race on the Southern Conference Championship course and NCAA Regional course prior to those meets. I believe that will help our athletes be better prepared when the two biggest meets of the season arrive.”