VALDOSTA, Ga. – After nearly a month off of competition, the Valdosta State cross country team will head to Huntsville, Ala. to compete in the Chargers XC Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 12 at John Hunt Park. The men will start things off with 8k at 9:00 a.m. ET, followed by the women at 9:50 a.m. where they will run a 6k.
 
Valdosta State was supposed to run in the Tallahassee Pre-Regional on Friday, Sept. 27 but the meet was canceled following Hurricane Helene. The Blazers then pivoted to set their eyes on Georgia College and State University Invitational, but the effects of the hurricane made travel very difficult.
 
This invitational's loaded field features a total of 41 teams competing, with the likes of Alabama Huntsville, Christian Brothers, Delta State, Lee, Mississippi College and Trevecca Nazarene representing the Gulf South Conference along with VSU. Along with the GSC, many other major Division II schools like Embry-Riddle, Florida Southern, Harding, Nova Southeastern, Pittsburg State and Tampa will be competing in the invitational.
 

"Over the last 13 months, both teams have had to embrace the team motto of Adapt, Overcome, Prevail. I am fully confident that they will own their effort when they toe the starting line on Saturday. This race is another step forward on the path to the championship season." – Head Coach Todd Smoot

 
The Blazers last ran in the Queen's City Invitational on September 13, where the men placed seventh and the women placed eighth. Freshman Nick Waddell led the way for the men, as the true freshman finished 31^st overall, clocking in at 26:30.49 in the 8k. For the women, senior Katie LaCroix finished 33^rd overall in the 5k, as she crossed the finish line with a time of 19:39.5.
 
Following this race, VSU XC will prepare for the GSC XC Championship on Saturday, Oct. 26, which will now take place in Clinton, Miss. following the damage to Freedom Park in Valdosta after Hurricane Helene.