HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women's cross country team begins its title defense Friday when the Panthers head to Burlington, N.C., for the Elon Invitational.
 
The race will begin at 6 p.m. and feature three other Triad-area teams. The Panthers will compete against a pair of Southeast regionally ranked foes – Wake Forest (No. 5) and Elon (No. 15) – as well as UNCG.
 
The season-opening race is a shortened 4K trek, down from the traditional 6K events the team runs throughout the regular season.
 
"Racing a 4k to begin the year will be a great opportunity to see where we stand," head coach Jenna Wrieden said. "We face some great regionally ranked competition and those are teams we need to consistently be comfortable competing with. Our team goal is to test ourselves coming off the summer training regime and to constantly be engaged with where our team is on the course. This meet is one small step in the process to becoming better athletes and engaged competitors."
 
The Panthers return five of their top-7 runners from a year ago, including two Big South all-conference selections in junior Natalia Ocasio and sophomore Kelly Hayes.
 
"Coming off the summer, our veterans have gained maturity and improved their fitness," Wrieden said. "Katie Farina has taken a nice step forward and is ready to have an impact up front right away. It's no secret that Kelly Hayes is ready to compete. After her first year of adjusting to college training, she already has the mentality of a veteran and is shaping into a new level of fitness and leadership – she will do some exciting things this year.
 
"Natalia Ocasio is always solid and she is a fierce competitor. She needs to continue to build off the spring of winning a Big South title on the track and bring that mentality to the cross country course. The 4k distance will play to her advantage."
 
The Panthers also welcome two freshmen to the roster: Courtney Kerr (Avon, Ind.) and Janelle Rothacker (Ballston Spa, N.Y.).
 
"Courtney Kerr has been a nice surprise for us," Wrieden said. "She is someone who will silently go above and beyond in her commitment to the sport and it's paid off this summer. She will only get better. Janelle Rothacker has also been a fantastic addition to our squad and she will debut her college racing season at the Furman Invitational. This freshmen class has been seamless. They know exactly where we stand as a program, what needs to be accomplished, and what mentality to have to get there. We have a mature and motivated group this season. They are ready to work and kicking off the season at Elon will be great feedback for the next six weeks of training."
 
After Elon, the Panthers will head to Greenville, S.C., for the Furman Invitational on Sept. 12.