EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Evansville cross country teams will take part in one of the nation's largest cross country meets on Saturday, as the Purple Aces will compete in the 20^th annual Live In Lou Cross Country Classic at E.P. "Tom Sawyer" State Park in Louisville, Kentucky. 

The Purple Aces will compete in the men's Blue 8K and the women's Blue 5K at 10:45 and 11:30 am eastern respectively.  Overall, there will be 141 different teams from the various NCAA and NAIA Divisions competing at the meet.

"We are excited to see where we stack up on Saturday," said UE cross country coach Don Walters.  "This is the first time going back to Louisville in about three years for us, but this is always a tremendous race.

"I am anxious to see if we will be able to set new P.R.s in this race, because this is a very tough course, with two hills that can really take it out of you.  But, the teams have been working hard, and we'll go down and see what shape we're in as we prepare for conference at the end of this month."

On the women's side, senior Anna Lowry (Taylorville, IL/Taylorville) is expected to be the pacesetter for the Purple Aces on Saturday, after placing 21st at the John McNichols Invite in Terre Haute two weeks ago.  Walters has been impressed though with the work that both senior Sam Weldon (Ft. Wayne, IN/Bishop Dwenger) and sophomore Tess Crosley (Tulsa, OK) have been putting in of late in practice.

"Both Sam and Tess are running the best that they ever have here at Evansville right now," said Walters.  "Both ladies came in in tremendous shape after the summer, and they have only been getting better with all of the hard work and miles they have put in this fall.  It is great to see all of their hard work pay off this year."

On the men's side, sophomore Peter Ekayi Epur (Eldoret, Kenya) has been UE's team leader in each of the first two meets.  And, a pair of true freshmen – Adam Oulgout (St. Paul, MN/Central) and Justin Nichols (Lewis Center, OH) – have been coming on strong in practice and have caught the eye of Walters.

"I have really been impressed with both Adam and Justin this year," said Walters.  "Both young men have come in and worked really hard.  Adam really knows how to race, which is impressive for a freshman, and Justin has been really coming on strong in practice."

For those fans unable to attend the meet, FloTrack will provide live video coverage of the meet with a pay subscription.  The video feed can be found on-line at:  https://loucrosscountryclassic.com/flotrack