KENNESAW, Ga. – For the first time in two weeks, the Kennesaw State men's and women's cross country teams return to competition Friday, as they head to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Southern Showcase — their first road meet of the 2025 season.

The men's 8K race is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. ET, followed by the women's 5K at 9:30 a.m. ET. Both races will take place at the John Hunt Park Cross Country Course, which will also host the 2025 Conference USA Cross Country Championships and the 2025 NCAA South Regional in November.

Kennesaw State will face a strong field that includes several regionally ranked programs. The men's race features nine ranked teams, including No. 1 Alabama, No. 5 Lipscomb, No. 6 Middle Tennessee State, No. 8 Florida State, No. 10 Georgia Tech and No. 15 North Alabama.

On the women's side, No. 9 Alabama headlines a field that includes eight other ranked teams: No. 3 Lipscomb, No. 4 Florida State, No. 7 Georgia Tech, No. 8 Auburn, No. 10 Mississippi State, No. 12 Middle Tennessee State and No. 14 Belmont.

The KSU men opened the season with a dominant 1-2-3 finish at the Stan Sims XC Opener on Aug. 29. Collins Kipkemboi led the way with a 4-mile time of 18:29.9, followed by Edwin Kiprono (18:49.8) and Brian Limo (19:13.4). Kipkemboi was named Conference USA Male Athlete of the Week for his performance, becoming the first Owl to earn the honor.

In the women's 5K at the Stan Sims Opener, Madison Seiler (17:26.0), Emma Ferguson (17:54.5) and Akshana (18:05.8) placed third, sixth and ninth, respectively. Both KSU teams finished second overall at the meet.

Ten women and eight men are scheduled to compete for the Owls on Friday.

The Southern Showcase marks KSU's only meet in September. The Owls will return to action at the Louisville Cross Country Classic on Oct. 4.