The Virginia men's and women's cross country teams will return home this weekend to host the Panorama Farms Invitational. As the last regular season race on the Cavaliers' schedule, the invitational has left the team with one goal in mind: to defend its home course.
"We have run the course plenty of times this year and last year," junior Andrew Mearns said. "And we just know that it's our home course and we're not going to let anyone come into our home course and beat us easily."
Virginia has had plenty of experience at Panorama Farms the past couple of years, always seeming to perform admirably in competition there. During the Cavaliers' last three races there, one earlier this year and two last season, both the men's and women's teams finished with identical records - two wins and one second-place finish.
"It's always nice to be at your home course," sophomore Barbara Strehler said. "Always nice to get your fans and friends all coming out to support you."
But even as the team focuses on winning, there is another, arguably more important, concern on everyone's mind, as well - staying healthy. As the postseason rapidly approaches, coach Jason Vigilante is dedicating more and more of his focus to being aware of any injuries his runners may have and making sure they are not overexerting themselves in practice.
"This past week, we've been working on all of us being healthy," Strehler said.
Read More
No. 3 Virginia field hockey continues undefeated start with gritty win over No. 16 Rutgers
By Eleanor Buchanan | 3 hours agoVirginia has started the season with three consecutive ranked wins.
Virginia falls short in nail-biting five-set match against Appalachian State
By Victoria Blankenship | 2 days agoVirginia frittered away two match points in the fifth set.
Defense, poor clutch play ruin a banner day for Virginia’s offense in 35-31 loss
By Ryan Weiner | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers faltered in the game's final minutes.
