Saint Francis Cross Country Announces Three Key Events for 2025 Season

Here’s a breakdown of the Saint Francis Men’s and Women’s Cross Country 2025 Schedule, based on the provided text:

Home Meets (at B & D Acres in Tyrone, PA):

August 30: Father Bede Invitational (Season opener, fourth year at B & D Acres)
November 1: Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships (Sixth time hosting, second time at B & D Acres)
November 8: Red flash Rally (Fourth annual)

Away Meets:

September 20: Allegheny Classic at Allegheny College (First time competing)
October 4: 24th Annual Swags louisville Cross Country Classic at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park in Louisville, KY
October 18: 34th Aubrey Shenk Invitational at Gettysburg (Fifth time competing, first as 2023)
November 14: NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Championship at Goodman Campus Course in Bethlehem, PA

Potential Post-Season Meet:

November 22: NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships in Columbia, Missouri (If runners qualify)

Key Highlights and Coach’s Thoughts:

The schedule features three home meets, including the prestigious NEC Championships.
The team will compete at two new venues: Allegheny College and Louisville.
The aubrey Shenk Invitational at Gettysburg serves as a crucial “dress rehearsal” for the NEC Championships.
Coach Doug Hoover emphasizes the schedule provides “great competitive opportunities” for championship preparation.
The NEC Championships mark a return to hosting for Saint Francis, with the women’s team having won a title in 2016 when they last hosted.
the men’s team has a strong history of NEC championships, and the women’s team also has multiple titles.
The schedule concludes with the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championship, with a potential appearance at the NCAA Championships.
This season marks the 25th anniversary of Brian Sell’s All-American performance at the NCAA Championships.

what is the date of the NEC Championships?

Saint Francis Cross Country is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, and athletes, fans, and families can now mark their calendars! The program has officially announced three key events that will define their competitive schedule. This article details each event, providing crucial facts for anyone involved in or following Saint Francis cross country. We’ll cover dates, locations, and what runners can expect.

Event 1: The Saint Francis Invitational – Season Opener

The season kicks off with the annual Saint Francis Invitational on September 6th, 2025. This event, held at the Saint Francis University campus in Loretto, Pennsylvania, serves as a crucial early-season benchmark for the team.

Date: September 6th, 2025

Location: Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA

Course: A challenging 5k course featuring rolling hills and varied terrain. Expect a mix of grass, gravel, and potentially some wooded sections.

Who’s Running: This invitational typically attracts high school teams from across Western Pennsylvania and surrounding states, providing a competitive field for Saint Francis runners.

Spectator Information: Free admission. Ample parking is available on campus. Course maps will be available at the registration tent.

This event is vital for coaches too assess athlete fitness levels and establish starting lineups for subsequent meets. It’s a fantastic possibility for new runners to gain race experiance.

Event 2: The Paul Short Run – Lehigh University Challenge

October 4th, 2025, will see the Saint Francis cross country team travel to bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to compete in the prestigious Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University. This is arguably the most competitive regular season meet on their schedule.

Date: October 4th,2025

Location: Lehigh University,Bethlehem,PA

Course: Known for its fast and flat course at the Lehigh University Cross Country Course. This allows for personal best times.

Competition Level: The Paul Short Run is divided into several divisions, attracting teams from all NCAA divisions (Division I, II, and III) as well as NAIA schools.Saint Francis will compete in the gold division, facing top-tier competition.

Travel Details: The team will depart from Saint Francis University on October 3rd and return on october 5th.

Why it Matters: Performance at the Paul Short Run often influences NCAA regional rankings and potential at-large bids to the NCAA Championships.

Event 3: Northeast Conference (NEC) championships – championship Pursuit

The culmination of the regular season is the Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships on November 1st, 2025. This year’s championship meet will be hosted by Robert Morris University in Moon Township,Pennsylvania.

Date: November 1st,2025

Location: Robert Morris University,Moon Township,PA

Course: The RMU Cross Country Course is a challenging 5k course known for its demanding hills and technical sections.

Conference Rivalries: The NEC Championships will feature intense competition from all NEC schools, including Sacred Heart, Wagner, and Fairleigh Dickinson.

Championship Implications: The top finishers at the NEC Championships earn All-Conference honors.The team champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA northeast Regional Championships.

Team Strategy: Expect Saint francis to employ a pack running strategy,with runners working together to maximize their team score.

Training Focus Leading Up to Key events

Saint Francis cross country’s training plan is strategically designed to peak performance at these three key events.

Early Season (Saint Francis Invitational): Focus on building base mileage and introducing speed work.

Mid-Season (Paul Short Run): Increased intensity with longer interval workouts and tempo runs. Emphasis on race pace simulation.

Late Season (NEC Championships): Tapering mileage to allow for recovery and sharpening speed. Focus on mental planning and race strategy.

Supporting the Saint Francis Cross Country Team

There are several ways to support the Saint Francis cross country team:

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