EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Cross country season will officially be in full swing on Saturday morning as the University of Evansville will play host to the Mid-America Opener at 10 a.m. at the UE Cross Country Course.
 
Along with the University of Evansville, who will have 11 men and 18 women running, Louisville, Kentucky Wesleyan and Oakland City will also be at the meet.  Several UE alumni are also going to be running in the event.
 
On the men’s side, the Aces return several forces from last year, led by senior Cody Stein.  The Evanston, Ind. native was the Aces’ top finisher in last year’s Mid-America Opener, placing seventh.  Stein ran a 19:11.00 in the 6K. 
 
Sophomore Josh Genet also came on strong in his inaugural campaign with the Aces.  Genet placed 20^th or better in five out of nine meets last season, including a finish of 8^th at the UE Invitational.  His PR in the 8K was a 25:28 which was good for 20^th at the Louisville Invitational.
 
Leading the way for the women’s squad is junior Kelby Jenkins.  The Frankfort, Ind. native registered top ten finishes in four out of last season’s eight meets.  She finished ninth in the first two matches of the year (Mid-America Opener, EIU Open) before coming back with a third place finish at the Saluki Invitational.  Jenkins set her PR in the 5-K at the UE Invitational where she ran an 18:24 en route to a fifth place finish.
 
Senior Lauren Zeabart also had a stellar run last season, recording four top ten’s along with placing in the top 13 in five of eight events.  After notching top ten’s in the opening two meets, she helped the Aces to a second-place finish at the Saluki Invitational with a season-best sixth place finish. 
 
This weekend will mark the first of three-consecutive meets for the Aces, who travel to the EIU Panther Open on September 7 before running in the Indiana Intercollegiate a week later.