NEW ORLEANS — A first-ever trip to Notre Dame for the men's team is the highlight of the 2019 Xavier University of Louisiana cross country schedule.
Yhann Plummer, in his second season at XULA and the 2018 Louisiana and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Women's Coach of the Year, announced the schedule Tuesday.
The Gold Rush will compete Sept. 20 in the National Catholic Invitational at Burke Golf Course in Notre Dame, Ind. It will be the first regular-season meet in the Midwest during the modern era of XULA cross country. The Rush and Nuggets, however, have competed in the postseason in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kansas at NAIA National Championship meets.
"It will be good to take part in the National Catholic Invitational," Plummer said. "I feel good about the team we'll bring to Notre Dame. Our men will be stronger this year with Shane (Patterson), Kadeem (Burton) and Jordan (Ashmore)."Before the trip to Notre Dame, the Rush and Nuggets will open with two meets at NOLA's City Park, about four miles from the XULA campus: Aug. 31 in the UNO Invitational, then Sept. 14 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival.
XULA will compete Oct. 12 in the Watson Ford Invitational at Clinton, Miss., then defend its women's and men's team titles later that month in the GCAC Championships. The GCAC team champions will qualify automatically for the NAIA National Championships at Vancouver, Wash., Nov. 22 (the Friday before Thanksgiving).
"I expect our women's team to be better, too," Plummer said. "I will not accept anything less than a repeat at conference from either team."
Leading the Gold Nuggets' returnees will be Taylor Price, the GCAC women's individual champion in 2016 and 2018, and Maliya Vaughan, the 2017 champion.
XULA won the last 12 GCAC women's team titles and 11 of the last 12 men's titles.
Xavier University of Louisiana
2019 Cross Country Schedule
Aug. 31 (Sat.): UNO Invitational, City Park, New Orleans, La.
Sept. 14 (Sat.): Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival, City Park, New Orleans, La.
Sept. 20 (Fri.): (men only) National Catholic Invitational, Burke Golf Course, Notre Dame, Ind.
Sept. 28 (Sat.): Lake Charles Toyota Cowboy Stampede, Enos Derbonne Sports Complex, Lake Charles, La.
Oct. 12 (Sat.): Watson Ford Invitational, Choctaw Trails Course, Clinton, Miss.
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, date and venue TBA
Nov. 22 (Fri.): NAIA National Championships, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver, Wash.
Home meets in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
All times are Central except where noted
Schedules are subject to change
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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