After getting their feet wet, literally, in last week’s Coastal Carolina Invitational, the UNC Wilmington cross country teams travel to Rock Hill, S.C., this weekend for the 20^th Annual Asics Winthrop Invitational.

      “We’re excited about racing this weekend against some tough competition,” said Layne Schwier, assistant cross country/track and field coach. “Our goal last week was to shake some rust off the racing wheels. Now it’s time to do some actual racing.

      “We’ll still be working on some team racing tactics, but we’ll get after it more this weekend. While we would like to race well at Winthrop, we will keep our focus on the CAA meet.”

      UNCW’s men captured the team championship of the Coastal meet last weekend, and the women came in second. The Asics race is the second of four meets leading up to the CAA Championships Nov. 1 in Manassas, Va.

      Freshman Kelly Carmichael (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac HS) will lead the Seahawk men after collecting Colonial Athletic Association Runner-of-the-Week honors early this week. The Seahawks will be competing against 18 other teams on an 8K layout at the Winthrop Lake Course.

      The men’s teams competing include UNCW, Appalachian State, Benedict, Bluefield, Campbell, UNC Charlotte, Claflin, Davidson, Elon, Louisville, N.C. Central, Presbyterian, Queens, South Carolina State, UNC Greensboro, USC Upstate, Winston-Salem State, Winthrop and Wofford.

      On the women’s side, sophomore Lauren Wells (South Mecklenburg HS/Charlotte, N.C.) and the Lady Seahawks will line up against 21 teams in a 5K race. Wells was UNCW’s top finisher last week, coming in fifth overall at Coastal Carolina.

      The women’s entries feature UNCW, Appalachian State, Benedict, Bluefield, Campbell, UNC Charlotte, Claflin, Davidson, Elon, Georgia Southern, Lander, Louisville, N.C. Central, Presbyterian, Queens, South Carolina, South Carolina State, UNC Greensboro, USC Upstate, Winston-Salem State, Winthrop and Wofford.

      According to Schwier, the Louisville, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian teams are ranked regionally on both the men’s and women’s side.

      Following Saturday’s meet, the Seahawk harriers race in the Mason Invitational on Oct. 4 in Manassas, Va.  -Courtesy UNCW