UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State cross country team will host the Spiked Shoe Invitational on Friday, September 13 on the Blue & White Golf Courses. The collegiate women’s race is set to begin at 10 a.m. with the men’s 5.2-mile race starting at 10:45 a.m.
In the most recent pre-season regional rankings, Penn State’s women’s team stays put at No. 2 while the men’s team remains at No. 5. Multiple Mid-Atlantic teams will use Friday’s race as a chance to preview Penn State’s course, as the Nittany Lions are set to host the region’s championship race back at home in early November.
Women’s Field (22): Army (No. 14, Northeast), Bucknell (No. 10, Mid-Atlantic), Buffalo, Columbia (No. 5, Northeast), Duquesne, Lehigh (No. 14, Mid-Atlantic), Lock Haven, Loyola (Md.), Maryland (No. 8, Mid-Atlantic), Missouri (No. 10, Midwest), Monmouth (No. 12, Mid-Atlantic), Navy (No. 9, Mid-Atlantic), Penn (No. 3, Mid-Atlantic), Penn State (No. 2, Mid-Atlantic), Pitt (No. 7, Mid-Atlantic), Princeton (No. 6, Mid-Atlantic), St. Joseph’s, Syracuse (No. 3, Northeast), Temple, UConn (No. 6, Northeast), UMBC, West Virginia (No. 4, Mid-Atlantic)
Men’s Field (20): Army (No. 11, Northeast), Bucknell (No. 10, Mid-Atlantic), Buffalo, Columbia (No. 7, Northeast), Duquesne, Georgetown (No. 3, Mid-Atlantic), Lehigh (No. 12, Mid-Atlantic), Lock Haven, Loyola (Md.), Maryland, Missouri (No. 7, Midwest), Monmouth (No. 11, Mid-Atlantic), Navy (No. 4, Mid-Atlantic), Penn (No. 6, Mid-Atlantic), Penn State (No. 5, Mid-Atlantic), Pitt (No. 8, Mid-Atlantic), St. Joseph’s, Syracuse (No. 3, Northeast), Temple (No. 13, Mid-Atlantic), UMBC
PENN STATE OUTLOOK
The Nittany Lions’ first meet at the Dolan Duals was an excellent outing for both the men’s and women’s teams. For the men, Nick Sloff finished first overall for Penn State in the 6K with a 17:55.1. Following the meet, Sloff was named the Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Runner and Freshman of the Week. Faith DeMars led the women’s team, clocking in at 13:51.4 and finishing first overall for the third consecutive time at the Dolan Duals for Penn State. Both the men’s and women’s teams are primed for a great showing at home on Friday.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc). Live updates on race day regarding weather, start times, and other important notes will be posted on X.