Following successful 2023 seasons, the Fire men's and women's cross country teams set their sights on improving as they enter the 2024 campaigns.
Last season, under the guidance of head coach Paul Kurtz, the men's team took home wins in the Fire Invitational and the Sun Conference Championship. It was their third title in the last four years, and earned the Fire a trip to the NAIA National Championship.
The women's program notched three top-five finishes, turning in a second place finish at the Fire Invitational and finishing third at the Sun Conference Championship. Returning senior
Grace Feder led the charge, qualifying for and competing in the NAIA National Championship.
Both the Fire men's and women's programs carry the same schedule, starting the season in their own backyard at Holloway Park in Lakeland, Fla. with the Fire Invitational. Kurtz believes the opening meet will set the expectations for the Fire. "Our home meet at Holloway is probably the toughest course we will race," he said. "It should prepare us well for when we come back in November for the Sun Conference meet."
The men's team will start at 7:20 a.m. at Holloway Park on September 7th. The women's team, who finished second in Fire Invitational last season, will start at 7:20 a.m.
From there, the Fire will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. for the FSU Invitational on September 27th. The women will take off at 7:40 a.m. and the men will begin at 8:20 a.m.
The Fire head to Birmingham, Ala. next for the UAB Invitational. The race will take place on October 12th with the women beginning their race at 9 a.m. EDT, and the men starting at 9:50 a.m. EDT.
The final invitational before the postseason takes the Fire to Knoxville, Tenn. on October 25th for the NAIA Appalachian Invitational. The women's race starts at 9:30 a.m., and at 10:15 a.m. the men will run.
Kurtz showed some excitement when talking about the final three regular season courses. "These three invitationals will be against some of the top schools in the NCAA and NAIA, challenging our teams on some fast courses. It will be good for us, and I am excited for the opportunity for our runners.," he said.
The Sun Conference Championship for both teams will take place on November 11th at Holloway Park. The time for these events is yet to be determined.
Should either team claim the automatic bid, they will travel to the NAIA National Championships in Kansas City, where they will race on November 22nd.
"I am very excited to have everyone back on August 9th and help these teams not only be competitive in our conference but against everyone we face this year," added Kurtz. "I am also very excited to see their relationships form and watch them all reach their goals."
