CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas men's and women's cross country teams begin their 2020 campaigns as they host the 2020 UCA XC Challenge at Beaverfork Lake Park on Saturday. The women are on the course first as they are slated for an 8:45 a.m. start.
 
The Bears will host both the men and women from Arkansas State, Little Rock, Philander Smith College, and UA-Rich Mountain on the 5K course.
 
With the Trojans in the field, it will be the first of two races in the Governor's I-40 Showdown. UCA holds an early 3-0 lead in the standings after the women's soccer match on Thursday, Sept. 10.
 
The women dominated last season's meet claiming the top-5 spots. Sara Steimel, Julia Clark, and Tamara Reeves finished last year's race in third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. The defending Southland Conference Champions return all but two runners from the championship squad. Reeves leads the Bears as a Third-Team All-SLC performer at last year's conference championship with a 12th-place finish.
 
On the men's side, Hunter Henderson, Parker Jackson, Max Nores, and James Kees were top-10 finishers at the UCA XC Challenge last season. Thomas Cain, Jared Hamilton, Alex Hanson, and Henderson lead the Bears as returners from the 2018 Southland Championships team.
 
From the Coach – Interim Head Coach Beau Theriot
"We're happy to be back in action on our home course. We have a very talented group of athletes this year and I'm excited to see what they can do. The course is in great condition and the weather forecast looks good. I'm expecting some fast times on Saturday."
 
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