Mean Green to Open Cross Country Season in Arkansas Saturday

Saturday, August 31

Conway, Ark.

8:30 AM

University of North Texas

UCA Bear XC Invitational

Mean Green to Open Cross Country Season in Arkansas Saturday

8/29/2024 3:12:00 PM | Track & Field/XC

A talented group of newcomers are set to make their UNT debuts

DENTON, Texas – The 2024 cross country season begins Saturday for the UNT program as the men and women will compete at the UCA Bear XC Invitational in Conway, Arkansas.

Excitement has been building inside the program after a plethora of offseason additions bolster a roster of returners that saw UNT make massive strides during the 2023 season. Led by national qualifier Victor Neiva, the men's team enters the 2024 season ranked No. 12 in the NCAA South Central Regional. With a trio of talented transfers, including London Culbreath from TCU, the women's team is looking to build off its highest finish at the regional meet since 2018.

In addition to the pieces brought in through the transfer portal, head coach Erik Stevens signed a talented crop of true freshmen who are expected to make an immediate impact. Many of those welcomed additions will make their first appearance for UNT on Saturday.

"I'm excited to get the season underway," Stevens said. "We're going to use this meet as an opportunity to get our feet wet with the younger runners and let them learn how to navigate the race day preparation at the collegiate level. They have been working well together and I know they are itching to toe the line to kick off the season."

In total, seven true freshmen will represent UNT at the UCA Bear XC Invitational, which is a three-mile run for both the men's and women's race. Ella Bengtsson, Maggie Cuppett and Destiny Hernandez will make their first career appearances for the ladies, while Hunter Hendry, David Kalwahali, Matthew Montgomery and Aidan Shannon will run for the men.

Joining the three freshmen females on the course will be returners Shannon Cook, Brenna Zerby and Amy Pritchard, while sophomore Hardy Swann will complement the freshmen for the men's team.

Saturday's meet will begin with the women's race at approximately 8:30 a.m. CT, followed by the men toeing the line with a tentative start time of 9:10 a.m.