Seahawks Host Beach Blast 5K Late Friday

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – The UNCW cross country teams will host four other schools when the second UNCW Beach Blast 5K gets under way late Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at nearby Olsen Park.

In the second of five in-season appearances, the Seahawks will compete in a pair of 5K races, with the men's race beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the women's competition following at 8 p.m. State rivals Chowan, Mount Olive, N.C. Central and N.C. Wesleyan are set to join the Seahawks on the flat course just northwest of campus.

"We expect great energy and an electric atmosphere," said Jeff Klaves, UNCW's fourth-year head coach. "It's turned into a huge community event. There will be great competition, of course, along with music and fun."

Eight men and women will compete for the Seahawks, who made their season debut last Friday under the lights at the Elon Opener.

Junior Kendall Hobbs paced the Seahawk women at the Elon 4K, covering the course in 14:42 for 14^th place overall. The Beavercreek, Ohio, native improved her time from last year by 1:18 and leapfrogged 46 spots in the individual standings. The team also jumped 79 points over one year ago to register a fourth place finish.

On the men's side, UNCW's eight freshmen featured five runners under 20:12. The team's top runner last year clocked a 20:35 time.

"The draw Friday night is being able to see everything from middle school to college," added Klaves. "We're excited about hosting the event. Packaging our race like this gives the high school athletes something to look forward to. Since it's nighttime, it's a very unique race. As the sun goes down, the temperatures go down and you'll see better performances."

Klaves and the Seahawks are looking forward to running on their home course and taking a strategic approach to the event.

"We've been out on the course. Our returners have had multiple workouts at Olsen Park. We know every curve and how the footing is at every single stage of the race.

"We've been breaking the race into three parts – the beginning, the middle and the end. Going into this race, we'll be looking for more control out of the plan.

"We did a great job at Elon of having small packs working together in the first meet. We'll be looking to have the team be together longer as we continue to focus on reducing the spread. In cross country, that will help us have a better score overall. The first meet showed that we're capable. Now we just need to do it for a longer period of time throughout the race to keep closing the gaps in our packs."

Following Friday's race, the Seahawks continue their regular season slate on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, by competing in the Adidas XC Challenge hosted by N.C. State in Raleigh.

UNCW Beach Blast 5K Schedule | Sept. 9, 2022

Time	Competition	Distance
4:30 p.m.	Registration
5:00 p.m.	Elementary & Middle School Boys & Girls	3K
5:30 p.m.	High School JV Girls	5K
6:00 p.m.,	High School JV Boys	5K
6:30 pm.	High School Varsity Girls	5K
7:00 p.m.	High School Varsity Boys	5K
7:30 p.m.	College Men	5K
8:00 p.m.	College Women	5K
8:30 p.m.	High School Championship & Open Girls	5K
9:00 p.m.	High School Championship & Open Boys	5K
9:30 p.m.	Awards

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Players Mentioned

Kendall Hobbs: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kendall Hobbs
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

UNC Wilmington Athletics

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Seahawks Host Beach Blast 5K Late Friday

Players Mentioned

Kendall Hobbs

Players Mentioned

Kendall Hobbs