EVANSVILLE, Ind. - For the first time in over 30 years, the University of Evansville men's and women's cross country teams head into a season following a winter and spring filled with competition.

With the addition of indoor and outdoor track and field programs for both the Aces' men and women, Evansville had the opportunity to run competitively throughout the winter and spring.

"It's a great thing to be able to train all year round," said Aces men's and women's cross country and track and field head coach Don Walters. "If you don't, you get stagnant, you're not in the weight room, you're not doing the things that are going to make you better the following year and it's key."

Both Evansville cross country rosters feature newcomers, with the two teams bringing in a total of 15 fresh faces; 10 on the women's team and five on the men's team.

"We're a whole lot better than we were last year, but then again, we have the bodies this season," said Walters on his thoughts heading into the 2018 season. "We've got 19 women's runners and 15 men's runners. Last year, we had five women's runners at one time and you can't operate like that."

The Purple Aces cross country teams open the 2018 campaign on Friday evening at the Walt Crawford Open in Charleston, Ill. hosted by Eastern Illinois. In the field on the men's side are host EIU, Illinois, Danville Area Community College, Kaskaskia College, and Vincennes. On the women's side, the Aces will be competing against EIU, Illinois, Northwestern, Danville Area Community College, Kaskaskia College, and Vincennes.

"We're interested to see where we're at. Not compared to any other team. I'm not worried about that," said Walters. "I'm worried about where we're at with our team. I want to know where my number one is at, where my number five is at. That way we've got a heads up on what we need to do in the future to get better."

Friday's events get underway with the women's 5k race at 4:45 p.m. followed by the men's 8k race at 5:30 p.m..

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