Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin "Mayflower Day" Open
5 things to know: Badgers host Mayflower Day Open
September 15, 2017 | Women's Cross Country
Wisconsin hosts its first meet of the year on Saturday
Mayflower Open
Game Coverage
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 10 a.m. — Madison, Wis.
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's and women's cross country programs prepare to host the Mayflower Day Open on Saturday at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course. The meet, originally slated for an 11 a.m. (CT) start, will now start at 10 a.m. with a women's 6K and a men's 8K to follow at 10:30 a.m. Fans can follow the meet via Twitter (@BadgerTrackXC) and a recap will be available online at UWBadgers.com.
"It's been unseasonably warm here in Madison this week, UW Director of Track and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. "This is why we decided to move up the time for Saturday's meet. Saturday is a wonderful opportunity for our student-athletes to race at home in front of their family, friends and fans. Every time you put on that uniform, you've got to make the most of your opportunity, and, again, we hope that some kids will do that at the Mayflower Open."
1. A year ago: Last year, the Wisconsin men's cross country team won the Badger Classic with a score of 18 points. The Badgers look to repeat as champions at this year's renamed meet against UNI, Illinois Chicago and UW-Parkside. Â
2. McDonald ranked third: Following an impressive 2016-17 cross country season, it's no surprise that senior Morgan McDonald has been ranked third overall in DyeStat's NCAA D1 Individual Men's Preseason rankings and in FloTrack's individual rankings. The senior is coming off an impressive summer which concluded with an appearance at the 2017 IAAF World Championships.
3. A look back: Last week, the Badgers took fourth place at the Illinois State Invitational. Led by middle distance star sophomore Eric Brown, the Wisconsin men's cross country team pulled off their second top-five finish of the year.
4. A course for champions: Saturday's race at the Zimmer Championship Course will serve as a preview for all competing teams, as it has been chosen to be the site of the 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships. UW will serve as host of the NCAA meet for the first time since 1978.
5. Back to the Bluegrass State: After Saturday's meet, the Badgers will head to Kentucky for the Greater Louisville Classic on Sept. 30th, which will be held at Tom Sawyer State Park. This will mark the first time since 2015 that Wisconsin men's cross country has made an appearance in Louisville, which will also host the 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championships. .
