MADISON, Wis. – The postseason has arrived. Wisconsin is set to host Big Ten Championships on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Zimmer Championship Course. The men's 8K race will begin at 10:45 a.m. with the women's 6K race to follow at 11:45 a.m.
The Badgers will race for their 54th Big Ten Cross Country Championship and sixth conference title in-a-row.
Admission is free for the meet, but there will be no spectator parking on site. Parking is prohibited on County Highway PD or County Highway M near the Zimmer Championship Course. Any vehicles violating this will be subject to ticket and tow at the owner's expense.
Spectator parking for the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Great Lakes Regional will be located at Blackhawk Church in Middleton, Wisconsin. Spectator shuttles, which are free this season, are available for transportation to the course. One accessible shuttle will be available. The shuttle service begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 1:30 p.m.
Fans can watch the action live on B1G + or follow along @BadgerTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram. Live results will be available through PTTiming.
1. BIG TEN BOB: Senior Bob Liking looks to capture his third-straight individual Big Ten Championship on Friday. The St. Charles, Illinois, native won the crown last year after posting a time of 23:48.9, a millisecond faster than second place and fellow Badger Jackson Sharp. In 2021, Liking dominated the competition, covering Penn State's 8k course in 24:38.7, four seconds faster than the second-place finisher. With a win, Liking would become the seventh athlete to win three consecutive Big Ten titles and ninth athlete to win three Big Ten Championships all-time.
2. HISTORY BECKONS FOR BYRNE: Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Mick Byrne can become the winningest coach in Big Ten Championship history on Friday. The Irishman sits tied for first with legendary Badger Martin Smith for most Big Ten Cross Country Championships won with 12. A win on Friday would mean Byrne takes over the top spot with 13 titles.
3. FAMILIAR TERRITORY: Friday marks the ninth time UW has hosted Big Ten Championships. The Badgers have won five times in Madison. Wisconsin last hosted in 2010 where Landon Peacock ran away with the individual titles and UW posted just 28 points.
4. TOUGH COMPETITION: The Badgers lineup against a competitive Big Ten field, featuring No. 19 Michigan. Minnesota won the Badger Classic at the Zimmer Champions Course back in September, while Illinois and Ohio State turned in strong performances as well.
5. LOOKING AHEAD: The postseason moves on with NCAA Great Lake Regionals set for Nov. 10 at the Zimmer Championship Course. The Badgers won the region in 2022 and hold 31 regional titles. UW last hosted Great Lakes in 2019 and last won the region on home soil in 2016.
