SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State University men's and women's cross country teams will start their 2019 seasons this Saturday, September 7 as they participate in the 1st Annual Northwood XC Invitational.

The 2019 Northwood Invitational will take place at the Fisher Fields/Fisher Family Trails on Northwood University's campus. The course is described as relatively flat and is split between an open grass field and a heavily wooded trails consisting of packed dirt, grass and woodchips. 

The men's 6,000-meter race will start at 2:00 p.m. and the women's 5,000-meter race begins at 1:15 p.m.

This year's men's team includes returning juniors Blake Barber, Kendal Delpiere, Peter Shambaugh and David Mitter, who competed in the 2018 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships. 

The women's team features key returning seniors Rebecca Lathrop and Melody Perrin as well as juniors Emily Merten and Alexis Passino. 

Both cross country teams are led by head coach Rob Gallinger, who begins his third season in the role. 

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