HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point University women's cross country team will host the VertCross Invitational Friday at the Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C.

The 6k race will begin promptly at 5:15 p.m., with the men's 8k event kicking off the meet at 4:30 p.m. The course will feature three laps on a 2k loop, similar to a European cross country course model.

Results will be posted promptly after the race via Big Kahuna Timing.

"We're excited to host Friday's meet," HPU track & field/cross country head coach Mike Esposito said. "We like the format of a 2k loop. It's very viewer friendly for what should be a highly competitive field. We're also honored to name this meet after Dr. Richard Vert. With everything he's done for us and with how influential he's been in the HPU cross country/track & field team, we could think of no better namesake for this event."

The Panthers will suit up against a highly competitive field led by No. 3 NC State. In addition to the Wolfpack, HPU also will race against regionally-ranked teams Coastal Carolina (No. 7 Southeast), Elon (No. 10 Southeast) and Duke (No. 14 Southeast). The race also will feature a series of Big South programs, including Campbell, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Longwood and UNC Asheville.

HPU has won each of the last two meets its competed in, including a victory at the Asheville Cross Country Challenge on Oct. 1. Senior Natalia Ocasio returned to form at the Big South preview meet, placing third in the 5K race in a time of 18:48.32. Fellow senior Cozette Collin was right behind in fourth (18:53.67). Sophomore Keaton Case served as HPU's third top-10 runner, placing ninth in 19:21.28.

Friday's meet in Kernersville is the final competitive event for the Panthers before the Big South Championship on Oct. 28.

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