TCC releases inaugural cross country schedule

2016 Cross Country Schedule (Printer-friendly version)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 22, 2016) – The countdown to the launch of women’s cross country has officially begun at Tallahassee Community College.

On Friday, the Eagles and head coach Gary Droze released the College’s inaugural cross country schedule, a six-meet slate that opens exactly five weeks from today.

“Our inaugural schedule gives the pioneering TCC team a chance to experience cross-country at all levels, in terms of both competition and venue,” said Droze. “Additionally, the women will get the opportunity to mesh with Tallahassee's running community, as some of the races will offer competition at the high school, collegiate, and local arenas.”

Four of the Eagles’ events will be run in Tallahassee, including the season-opening Cougar XC Challenge, hosted by Godby High School, at 5:30 p.m., Friday, August 26 at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park.

Billed as a kickoff event for NJCAA Region 8, the meet will bring together Tallahassee and its three Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) rivals – Chipola College, Pasco-Hernando State College and South Florida State College. The Cougar XC Challenge will mark the first, but not last, time the quartet of schools will convene at the same course this fall.

On Friday, November 4, the FCSAA will host its first-ever cross country state championship meet at Apalachee Regional Park (ARP). Unlike other FCSAA-sanctioned sports, the meet is not a win-or-go-home event for schools wishing to participate in the NJCAA championship meet. It will, however, provide an opportunity for bragging rights and, oh by the way, crown a state champion.

Following the Cougar XC Challenge, the Eagles will participate in three September events and two more in October.

The Tallahassee-Chipola rivalry begins a new chapter on Friday, September 9 when the teams run in a dual meet at Phipps Park, the front end of a home-and-home series with the Indians. Three weeks later, on September 30, the teams will run in Jackson County.

In between, on Saturday, September 24, the Eagles will run in the Prefontaine Forest Run 5K, hosted by Gulf Winds Track Club, at Tallahassee’s Silver Lake.

Tallahassee will get its first taste of the ARP on Friday, October 7 when it participates in the annual FSU Invitational. Later in the month, the Eagles will hit the road to Avon Park, Fla., for the South Florida State College Invitational.

“Competing twice at the ARP gives the team experience on a course that hosts major championships, ranging from the Florida high school state finals to the USA Track & Field Cross-Country Club Nationals,” added Droze. “They will come away from their first season with true cross-country experience that should build their confidence for next year.”

The NJCAA Division I Cross Country Championships is scheduled for Saturday, November 12 in El Dorado, Kan. The NJCAA Half Marathon Championship is one week later, Saturday, November 19, in Gulf Shores, Ala.