ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men's and women's cross country programs open the 2021 fall season at home on Friday, Sept. 3, hosting the "Friday Night Lights" Elon Opener at the teams' home cross country course on the campus of Elon University.
 
The meet begins with the women's 4K race at 8:15 p.m. followed by the men's 6K at 8:45 p.m. following the completion of the women's race.
 
The meet will feature Campbell, Davidson, Duke, East Carolina, Guilford, Gardner-Webb. North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, UNCG, UNCW and Winthrop.
 
The Elon women opens its campaign as the two-time defending Colonial Athletic Association champions and was ranked seventh in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Southeast Preseason Regional Rankings. The Phoenix returns its top-five runners from last, who all earned All-CAA accolades.
 
Maria Ahm highlights the returners for the Phoenix women as the Holbæk, Denmark is coming off being named the CAA Women's Runner of the Year after becoming the third straight Elon female harrier to capture the league's individual cross country championship. Ahm later went on the become the first Phoenix female runner to compete at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Other All-CAA returners for the Elon women include juniors Maggie Springer and Anna Twomey, redshirt sophomore Leandra Lorenz and senior Hannah Preeo.
 
The Elon men are led by senior Andrew Miller and junior Aidan Tierney. The duo earned All-CAA accolades last season for the second straight season, with Miller achieving the feat for the third straight year. Tierney was the top finisher for the Phoenix men at the CAA Championships after coming in at eighth overall with Miller also finishing in the top-10. Other notable returners include sophomore Zane Jackson, who received CAA Runner of the Week honors last season during his rookie year.