The Tribune

UNIVERSITY Athletics is expected to host the first UB cross-country meet this weekend at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

The meet will include a course between one to four kilometres.

The open division will run the four-kilometre course through the sports centre. The under 17-division will run 3 kilometres. The under-15 and under-13 divisions will tackle the two kilometre course and the under 11-division will hit the one kilometre course.

University of The Bahamas athletics director Kimberley Rolle said she is excited about the meet that is expected to become an annual event.

“We are well known in the community for what we do in track and field and a part of the athletic agenda is to expand our cross-country element,” she said. “I think it is important that we display at the university level what we have to some of the recruits that we have been able to attract and this will also give us a great way to see what’s out there in terms of cross-country talent.”

Rolle added that it is important to promote cross-country in the island nation.

“Everyone is so connected to track and field but you barely hear anything about cross-country,” she said. “I thought it important when head coach Ednal Rolle expressed the interest in starting something along the cross-country line that we can make it big in the community. We will do it well so that we can set the bar for others that follow. We’re hoping that as a result of what we do there are more cross-country meets out there.”

Head coach Ednal Rolle said he’s excited for the meet to start as it’s the first of its kind for the university.

“The course is a very challenging course throughout the sports centre and we are keeping everything in one area so that coaches can be on the course and cheer the athletes on,” he said. “We want this to be a fun-filled event along with being a competitive one as we look to invite colleges and universities in the future.”

Meet starts 7:30am Saturday at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.