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Young Harris College men's and women's cross country coach Barry Brown unveiled the 2021 schedule for the Mountain Lions.
"After a limited season last year due to CoVID, I'm really excited to open up our season September 3," said Brown. "It's great to be back to normal this fall with six meets on our schedule, plus postseason championships.
"Both our men's and women's teams will have a new look this season, with several incoming freshmen joining us," added Brown. "On the women's side, look for newcomer Olivia Gilleland along with Latty Ryals, who missed last season to help push Caroline Conner and the team to some faster times this season. On the men's side, Luke Surowiec returns as a very strong leader that everyone can look up to. Look for big finishes from freshman Jack Rush, as well as Liam King. Kai Vigardt will be pushing the pace as we change the overall look of the team this year.
"In the past we have had athletes win individual Peach Belt Conference Championships, but we just weren't quite there for the overall team title," said Brown. "This year we have a great group of freshmen coming in to where it could be anyone up front on any given day. Rather than having that one front runner, we now have an awesome group on both men's and women's teams that are learning to work together in more of a pack or group race plan. As the season progresses, running against other conference teams weekly, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on this very young team adjust and grow as students and athletes. The guys and girls both have their goals set, so look for us to gradually work our way up as the season goes.
"With the Peach Belt having several strong teams including top 10-ranked Augusta University, the competition doesn't get any easier each week," added Brown. "As both teams adjust, look for them to work their way back into the regional top 10. Everyone has worked really hard, putting in the miles on their own during summer when it counted. I'm looking forward to watching everyone progress throughout the season, and being prepared as we go into the Peach Belt Championships in November."
INSIDE THE SCHEDULE:
- The Mountain Lions open their six-meet regular season schedule Sept. 3 when they compete in Eye Opener in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It will also give the team an early look at the Millken Research Park course that will host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regionals Nov. 6.
- Young Harris will travel to Oakwood, Georgia, and the UNG Cross Country Course for the UNG Invitational a week later. YHC should be very familiar with the layout as all three races last season were run there.
- Young Harris will compete in the Wingfoot XC Classic hosted by the Atlanta Track Club in Cartersville, Georgia Sept. 24 before competing in the ASICS Cross Country Invitational in Fairburn, Georgia, Oct. 2. The ASICS meet will also serve as the first lookout for the Mountain Lions of the course being used for the Peach Belt Conference Championships Oct. 23.
- YHC finishes the regular season Oct. 9 at the Bobcat Invitational in Milledgeville, Georgia, and Oct. 16 at the Berry College Invitational in Mount Berry, Georgia.