Morehead, Ky. – For the third straight year, the Morehead State men's and women's cross country teams will begin their seasons at eastern Kentucky. Unlike the past two campaigns when the Eagles and Colonels went head-to-head, the 2022 competition will feature three squads as Kentucky joins the field.

The tri-meet will take place on Friday at the Elmwood Mansion Course in Richmond. Like last fall, the women will run a 4K, with the men's competing in a 5K. The start times are 9 a.m. (women) and 9:30 a.m. (men). The first year of the event, held in the spring of 2021 (due to the postponement of the fall 2020 season because of Covid-19), featured distances of 4K for the women and 6K for the men and was run at the University Club at Arlington.

Coach Clay Dixon is using the competition as a tune-up for the season, while also serving as an introduction for the newcomers to learn the pre-race routine.

"It's just a glorified workout," he said. "We'll get to cut loose a little, but the meet is not that important. The last two weeks, we had hard workouts. We're just training through the meet."

Dixon has entered 16 men and 16 women, which is all but five individuals on the cross country roster. Thirteen of the Eagle guys and seven of the Eagle ladies previously competed in the event.

Last fall, Garrett Watts led the men's team by placing sixth in 15:47.94. However, Watts will sit out this year's race. Kyle Embry (12th in 16:16.18), Peyton Fairchild (13th in 16:24.37) and Jacob Vogelpohl (15th in 16:31.98) rounded out the squad's top five who also will run Friday.

All five of the highest-finishing Blue and Gold women from last year's meet return. Isabella Copher topped the group by claiming fifth in 15:19.55. Lucy Singleton (sixth in 15:25.15), Laikin Tarlton (seventh in 15:28.63), Cloe Copas (eighth in 15:29.07) and Megan Bush (10th in 15:37.85) rounded out that quintet.

In the spring of 2021, Embry was MSU's top male performer after taking seventh in the 6K race in 19:31.00. Fairchild (ninth in 19:54.00), Kyler Stewart (11th in 20:44.00) and Toby Cook (12th in 20:55.00) were the team's third, fourth and fifth-place finishers, respectively.

Mary Alice Thornburg paced the Eagle women at that meet, crossing the line in third in 15:41.00. Yet, like Watts, she will not run on Friday. Tarlton (fourth in 15:47.05) and Copher (fifth in 15:47.77) were the next highest finishers.

Among the newcomers, Dixon is anxious to see freshmen Abby Taylor (Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon HS) and Christiana Brittian (Bardstown, Ky./Nelson County HS) in action.

"(They) look pretty good in workouts. They've been solid," he said.

Despite having so much experience, Dixon is still uncertain about how the races will play out.

"You don't really know (what to expect) until you see them in race mode, but the top runners have looked good in (preseason) training," he said.

It will be the shortest distance MSU will run this season. It also will take place on the same course as last year's meet.

"Usually the people better at short distances do better at this meet. We're not going to do a race that's going to destroy our feet. So, it's not that big of a deal, which is why we're training right through it," Dixon said. "(The course has) got a couple rolling hills. It's an interesting property. There are lots of turns and it's hard to get a rhythm. It's a five-lap course for a 5K. So, it'll seem like there are more fans there. It's just kind of unique and cool. You never get to see a course like it."

After Friday, Morehead State will take two weeks off before competing again. Both Eagle squads will next participate at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational on Sept. 16 in East Lansing, Mich.