WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Near-perfect running conditions are forecast Friday morning (March 5, 2021) as UNCW hosts the 2020-21 Colonial Athletic Association Cross Country Championships at Olde Fort Golf Club in nearby Winnabow.
Eight women's teams and six men's teams will contend for the conference title when the Seahawks stage the event for the fourth time. The CAA race was also held in Wilmington in 1999, 2005 and 2010. Last year's race was held in New Market, Va.
No spectators will be allowed to attend the event due to Covid-19 protocols.
The Women's 6K Race begins at 10 a.m. and will feature Charleston, Elon, Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison, UNCW, Northeastern and William & Mary. The Men's 8K Race starts at 11 a.m. with Charleston, Elon, Hofstra, UNCW, Northeastern and William & Mary competing.
 "We're honored to host the CAA Championship and know it will be a fantastic event," said Jeff Klaves, UNCW's head cross country/track & field coach. "I would like to thank Old Fort owner Steve White, our staff and the many volunteers for making it possible. We've spent many hours preparing to make this a great experience for all of the student-athletes and coaches and look forward to a great day and fast times on Friday."
William & Mary, directed by three-time CAA Coach of the Year Forest Braden, captured its 20th consecutive men's championship last year. On the women's side, Elon claimed its first CAA title behind individual champion Scholasticah Kermei.
UNCW's runners entered in the women's field include Gretchen Bingham (Holly Springs, N.C.), Chloe Byrd (Dunedin, Fla.), Kendall Hobbs (Beavercreek, Ohio), Sierra Koehler (West Islip, N.Y.), Â Sarah Leach (Charlottesville, Va.), Julia Ledgett (Carlisle, Pa.), Lefler McManus (Oakboro, N.C.), Summer Owens (Richmond, Va.), Haley Smithwick (Wilmington, N.C.) and Alexa Woltjen (Mount Laurel, N.J.).
UNCW runners racing in the men's meet include Collin Dempsey (Frederick, Md.), Zach Koivisto (Dupont, Wash.), Cam Milroy (Greensboro, N.C.), John Paynter (Winston-Salem, N.C.), Zeke Shore (Raleigh, N.C.) and Kyle Stamper (Waxhaw, N.C.).
