Hawks Cross Country Releases 2019 Schedule
Under the new direction of head coach Erica Blubaugh, the Chowan Men's and Women's Cross Country teams released their 2019 schedule on Tuesday afternoon.
Their 2019 season will feature five meets splitting their travel between Maryland and North and South Carolina. The Hawks will open their season with the Due West Opener hosted by new league opponent, Erskine, on September 6 in Due West, S.C.
The team will then travel to Frederick, Md. to participate in the Blazer Twilight Meet hosted by Division III Hood College before heading to Rocky Mount, N.C. to compete in the North Carolina Wesleyan Classic on September 21.
The Hawks will take nearly month off before returning to Frederick, Md. to face opponents in the Hood College Open on October 19. Chowan will then gear up for their first appearance in the 2019 Conference Carolinas Championship on October 26 hosted by Mount Olive.
Entering into their first season in the Conference Carolinas, the Chowan Men's and Women's Cross Country programs were predicted to finish 10th and 12th, respectively in the 2019 Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches Poll.
For the men, Mount Olive is predicted to take the title, while North Greenville is predicted with second while Emmanuel follows in third.
On the women's side, Mount Olive is predicted to take the crown, while North Greenville and King were selected to round out the top three.
Returning for the Hawks is senior Kevin Taylor, and Juniors Lela Knight and Elizabeth Stokes. Kevin Taylor concluded his 2018 campaign by shaving off two minutes at the 2018 CIAA Cross Country Championship. Taylor posted a 30:45.5 averaging a 6:08.7-minute mile for the Blue and White.
Lela Knight returns to improve off her 2018 success as the first-ever All-Conference selection for Chowan. Knight finished 14th at the CIAA Championships with a time of 21:19.2 averaging a 6:51.3-minute mile.
Adding to the strength of the Hawks is Elizabeth Stokes who crossed the line at 24:11.7 at the 2018 CIAA Championships.