Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney cross country team will run in two meets this fall with the aim being to qualify for the D2 National Invitational in November.

In early August the NCAA Division II Presidents Council canceled fall sports championships for the entire 2020-21 academic year; UNK and Kearney Country Club was slated to host the Central Regional meet in November. Across the D2 landscape some schools allowed cross country teams to run this fall. The MIAA granted approval for teams to run with a league vote in late September after halting cross in early August. Note not all MIAA teams will decide to compete.

UNK will run Friday, October 9, in North Newton, Kan., at the Bethel College Invitational. The league-members that are taking part in cross this semester will then run at the Newman Team Championships in Wichita on Friday, October 30. This will serve as a qualifier for the D2 National Invite on Saturday, November 14, in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock Christian will serve as host with the qualifying requirements to be announced closer to the meet date.

The Lopers are coming off sixth (men) and 11th (women) place finishes in the tough Central region. Both UNK squads also were top five at the MIAA Championships with the top returners being 2019 All-Region selections Luke Stuckey (York H.S.) and Destiny Reinke (Imperial) as well as All-MIAA picks Maddie Bach (Cedar Rapids, Ia.) and Zoe Ritz (Ord H.S.).