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2023 Beach Blast 5K

Women's Cross Country Bailey Swogger

Cross Country Set to Host Beach Blast 5K

WILMINGTON, North Carolina -- The UNCW men's and women's cross country teams return to action to host the Wilmington Beach Blast 5K for the third straight year at Olsen Park on Friday, Sept. 8.
 
The Seahawks will attempt to win their home meet for the second straight year when it plays host to eight other teams including Louisburg College, Mount Olive, N.C. Central, North Carolina Wesleyan, Shaw and William & Peace. There will also be elite adult runners competing in both men's and women's races.
 
The event starts at 5 p.m. and will host elementary, high school junior varsity and varsity, college and high school championship races. The college men's 5K begins at 7:30 p.m. and the women's 5K starts at 8 p.m.
 
"We look forward to having everyone from the community at the event," said UNCW Head Coach Jeff Klaves. "The atmosphere that is created by our fans, parents and supporters is always electric underneath the lights of our Beach Blast 5K event. The runners of all ages: middle school to collegiate age, appreciate the encouragement and energy that everyone brings.
 
"Our team is off to a great start this season. Elon was a great benchmark to see where our fitness was to start the year and we look to keep executing the same race plan and strategy this week."
 
Both UNCW squads will look to build off last week's season opener at Elon, which saw nine women and seven men runners achieve new personal records.
 
The men's XC team returns three top-ten finishers from last year's Beach Blast. Sophomore Sam Bland led the Seahawk men last year with a 15:44 time to finish in fourth place while fellow second-years Nash Mills and Taylor Anthony placed seventh and eighth, respectively.
 
"For the men, we want to see the discipline early. We want to put ourselves in a great starting position as a pack, but it has to be controlled fast," said Klaves. "Last week, we were excited to race and got a little carried away early, so I'll be looking to see the men be more controlled and within themselves early."
 
On the women's side, five runners who finished in the Beach Blast top ten return this year, including Summer Herbertson (4th), Taylor Rand (5th), Chandler Coughlin (7th), Ashley Robey (8th), and Carly McCasker (10th).
 
"For the women's team, our focus will be staying strong and holding pace in the middle portion of the race," said Klaves. "Last week, the group did a great job starting and finishing. We will look to show off more of that strength with our first 5k of the season."
 
After Friday, the Seahawks are idle until they travel to race at the Chanticleer Challenge hosted by Coastal Carolina on Sept. 29, in Conway, S.C.

Race Information
5 p.m.: Elementary & Middle School 3k
5:30 p.m.: High School JV Girls 5k
6 p.m.: High School JV Boys 5k
6:30 p.m.: Varsity Girls 5k
7 p.m.: Varsity Boys 5k
7:30 p.m.: College Men's 5k
8 p.m.: College Women's 5k
8:30 p.m.: High School Championship Girls 5k
9 p.m.: High School Championship Boys 5k
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Taylor Rand

Taylor Rand

5' 8"
Freshman
Taylor Anthony

Taylor Anthony

5' 10"
Sophomore
Sam Bland

Sam Bland

5' 11"
Sophomore
Nash Mills

Nash Mills

6' 2"
Sophomore
Chandler Coughlin

Chandler Coughlin

5' 4"
Sophomore
Summer Herbertson

Summer Herbertson

5' 4"
Sophomore
Ashley Robey

Ashley Robey

5' 6"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Taylor Rand

Taylor Rand

5' 8"
Freshman
Taylor Anthony

Taylor Anthony

5' 10"
Sophomore
Sam Bland

Sam Bland

5' 11"
Sophomore
Nash Mills

Nash Mills

6' 2"
Sophomore
Chandler Coughlin

Chandler Coughlin

5' 4"
Sophomore
Summer Herbertson

Summer Herbertson

5' 4"
Sophomore
Ashley Robey

Ashley Robey

5' 6"
Sophomore