Raleigh,NC--While the end of August symbolizes the unofficial end of summer for everyone, it also symbolizes the start of college athletics.  With those days coming, the William Peace University men's and women's cross country teams will get their seasons started this Friday.  Both sets of harriers will travel to Elon for the Elon University Opener.

The Pacers will travel down I-40 to compete against some of the top competition in the state.  Division I teams such as UNC, UNC-Greensboro, Duke University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, Campbell University, and UNC-Wilmington will all be in attendance, creating a very intense field for WPU.  The meet will take place on a hilly course around the Elon intramural fields, with the women running four laps (4K) and the men completing six trips (6K).

The men welcome back several standout performers from last year's team.  Tucker Soltesz posted the best time of all returners in his 8K races last year. Soltesz posted a best of 30:37.6 last year in October and will look to improve on that time.  Ryan Spear, Grayson Rose, Jeffrey Knox, Chandler Hughes, and Michael Hernandez all ran last year, with the latter four setting bests in the season finale of the USA South Athletic Conference Championships.  The team will also welcome Marlon Davis, John Grimm, and Frank Rushok to the group to help push the competition.

The women's team brings back three runners from last year, while bringing in two newcomers.  Bailey Lambertson had the best of the returning pack last year, while Shaniya Taylor and Rebecca Ackerson also had solid debut seasons.  Lanesha Hawkins joins the fold, as does Shawntez Mickens, who ran for St. Andrews University last year.  Mickens led the Knights in every race last season, including posting a 5K best of 23:32.
The women's race will go first on Friday, with it being slated to start at 8:15 PM.  The men's race starts afterwards, with the 6K beginning at 8:40 PM.

For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: gopeacepacers.com , Facebook , or follow the Pacers on Instagram and Twitter at @gopeacepacers.