Northwest Wayne News

DETROIT -- The 2024 Cross Country season commences as Wayne State University travels to Midland, Michigan, for the Fifth Annual Northwood Invitational. The Warriors will be represented in both men's and women's events.

The men's 6K race is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the women's 5-kilometer race at 10:45 a.m. The invitational will take place at the Fisher Family Trails.

Thirteen teams from across the state will participate this year, along with various high school, middle school, and club teams. WSU will get an early look at their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) competition, with both Davenport and Saginaw Valley State (third in the region for men) also participating.

Coach Lofdahl commented on the team's preparation: "We've had a productive summer and a short but good preseason as far as training and team-building are concerned, so we're pretty excited to get on the course and see where the teams are at. This will be a low-key meet for our top runners, and most of the freshmen will compete unattached. The primary goals are to get back to a competition mindset and to work on race tactics, particularly on our pack running."

According to USTFCCCA rankings entering the 2024 season, the women are projected to finish fourth in the Midwest Region, while the men are expected to place eighth.