University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Harriers Set For Commodore Classic
September 13, 2012 | Track & Field
Sept. 13, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee cross country programs will get an early season preview of the Southeastern Conference Championship course this weekend, as they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to compete in Vanderbilt’s annual Commodore Classic at Percy Warner Park on Saturday, Sept. 15.
“It’s very important that we get familiar with the course to make sure we understand where we’re going and what we’re doing out there,” said UT Director of Cross Country and Track & Field J.J. Clark. “I know where we are and where we want to be so I’m concerning myself with that and making sure we run well for where we are right now and make sure we piece it together at the right time.”
Over 20 schools, including eight from the SEC, will be in action on Saturday in one of the deepest fields in the history of the race. Action will begin with at 9 a.m. CT with the men’s Gold 8000-meter race. There will be 24 teams in the field, including the Vols.
The women’s Gold 6000-meter run will take place at 9:45 a.m. CT. There will be 25 teams in that run, including the Lady Vols and seven other SEC affiliates.
The Vols are coming off a team victory at the 5K Belmont Opener on Aug. 31, which also took place at Percy Warner Park. Tennessee was led by newcomer Peter Okwera and sophomore Austin Whitelaw at the event, placing third and eighth overall, respectively.
The Lady Vols placed fourth at the 4K Belmont Opener, with freshman Alexis Panisse and senior Kelsey Kane pacing the pack. Panisse placed seventh overall and Kane ran a personal-best mark of 15 minutes, 10.10 seconds.
Fans are invited to come out and see all four races at Percy Warner Park. There is no charge for admission.
For more information about the Tennessee harriers, visit UTSports.com and follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.
