SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA men's and women's cross country programs continue their 2017 campaign on Fri., Sept. 29 at the Notre Dame-hosted Joe Piane Invitational in Notre Dame, Ind.
The event
The 62nd annual Joe Piane Invitational will be contested at the Burke Golf Course with a total of five races being run. The collegiate competition will be split into Blue and Gold division, while an open race consisting of both men and women will also be ran. UTSA is scheduled to compete in the Gold division races with the women competing in a 5,000-meter distance at 2:15 p.m. (CT), followed by the men running a five-mile distance at 3 p.m.
The competition
A total of 51 schools, including 42 men's teams and 47 women's teams are schedule to compete at the event. The UTSA women will toe the line against 26 teams, including Iowa, South Carolina and Creighton along with C-USA-members Marshall and Southern Miss. The Roadrunner men will face 21 teams, including Temple, Wichita State and C-USA-member Marshall.
Representing the Roadrunners
Eight men and 10 women will represent UTSA at the meet. The men's lineup features seniors Monty Bertschy, Hunter Hawkins and 2016 Conference USA All-Academic Team selection John von Dohlen. Joining the seasoned trio are junior Luca Chatham, sophomores Martin Luevano and Peter Sepulveda along with freshmen Matthew David and Josh Rodriguez. Bertschy led the Roadrunners at the season-opening Texas Invitational, placing 21st overall with a 6k time of 19:45.35
The Roadrunner women's lineup in made up of three juniors, six sophomores and one freshman. Yulisa Abundis, Charlette Janicek and Emily Voss are each in their junior years of collegiate completion, while Sarah Estrada, Olivia Flores, Colleen Gilbert, Gabby Gonzales, Rian Rodriguez and Stephanie Sauceda are competing in their sophomore campaigns. The event will by the second of freshman Amber Boyd 's career. Abundis paced the Roadrunners at the Texas Invitational, finishing the 4k course in 15:05.32 to finish 17th overall
Quoting UTSA cross country coach David Hartman
"We are excited to compete at an event as storied as Notre Dame's Joe Piane Invitational. We will face great completion from all the teams in our races. Our teams have been working extremely hard and it will pay off this Friday."
Results
Meet results will be available on goUTSA.com following the event.
