THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University cross country teams will welcome 12 schools to Nicholls Farm for the 6th Annual Nicholls XC Invitational Presented by Walk-On's on Saturday, Sept. 28.
The event schedule will begin with the Colonel Cross Country Community 5k at 7 a.m. followed by a free kids run hosted by Nicholls Women's basketball team at 7:15. The University women's 5K will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the men's four-mile race at 8:30. High school girls and boys 5Ks will be ran at 9 a.m. and 9:30, while a junior varsity boy and girls two-mile race will conclude the action at 10 a.m.
The University field includes in state opponents Centenary College, Dillard, Loyola-New Orleans, Xavier-Louisiana, and Tulane, as well as Southland Conference foes Southeastern and New Orleans. Additionally, Alcorn, Spring Hill College, the University of Dallas, Jackson State, and Texas A&M – Texarkana will cross state lines to compete.
Nicholls cross country head coach
Stefanie Slekis is excited about the opportunity to partner with Walk-On's for the event.
"We are thrilled to be hosting the 6th Annual Nicholls XC Invitational presented by Walk-On's," Slekis said. "Walk-On's support of our growing University, High School, and community festival of races at the Nicholls Farm means a lot to our program and community."
Slekis spoke highly of everyone that made this event possible.
"A big part of our event being a success has also been our Premier Donors: Scorpion Subsea, CLH Build, Chez Lilli Bridal, and The Ross Mullooly Project," Slekis said. "Parish Party Rentals is also adding a misting/cooling tent past the finish line which will be great for all of our participants if the weather heats up and none of this would be possible without Nicholls Department of Biological Sciences and Dr. Quenton Fontenot who has supported this event and cross country's home at the Nicholls Farm from day one.
Slekis also talked about the loaded field that features teams from across the region and how that can prepare the squads for the rest of the season.
"Based on entries this will be our largest University field in the history of the meet. Current high school entries have us close to the size of our 2019 field, which was the largest high school showing on the course, Slekis stated. "Competition wise our team has progressed well in training the past month since our opener. This larger University field is the perfect opportunity for us to test our fitness and see our progress before another three-week training block before the Arturo Barrios Invitational where we will see some of the best teams in our region."
