Both Augusta University men's and women's cross country teams will open the season Friday, Sept. 13 at the Fire Tower Project at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
 
The men's team is ranked No. 14 nationally by the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Association. To go along with that ranking, the Jaguar men are No. 2 in the Southeast Regional Poll.
 
The Jaguars bring back all five of their top runners from a year ago and are led by Avery Jaynes, Peach Belt Conference runner of the year. Jaynes had two of the top three 8k times in the conference all year and was second at the PBC Championship.
 
Winning that championship was Brandon Martin, who also returns for his senior season with AU. Martin won the PBC Championship and posted a personal best 10k time in the Southeast Regional.
 
Patrick Motes, Jordan Robertson and Thomas Rischar are among the other standout runners for the Jags who return this season.
 
The women's team will also compete in the Fire Tower Project to open the season with high expectations. They have been voted second in the preseason Peach Belt Conference poll.
 
Senior Caroline Pierce will lead the talented roster as Pierce was an all-conference runner a year ago.
 
She will be joined by Madison Kennedy, Maria Biondollilo and Lauren Michael among others, as the top returning runners.
 
Both the men and women have difficult schedules as they will compete in three meets against Division One teams.
 
Jacob Burgamy starts his third year as head coach of both squads and has won two straight Peach Blet Conference Coach of the Year Awards. He led the men's team to a 15th place finish in the NCAA National Championship last season as well, which was the second best performance in school history.
 
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.AugustaJags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags