AU cross-country teams open season at Spartanburg Eye Opener

By Domonic Macias | Sports writer

The Augusta University women and men’s cross-country teams will open their 2023 season on Friday night, Sept. 1, at the Eye Opener meet in Spartanburg, S.C.

The Jaguar men begin their season hungry to repeat as Peach Belt Conference champions for the fifth year in row. Last year, Augusta won the PBC title with a perfect 15 score.

The Jaguars will have different competition compared to previous years. This race they will be competing against a few NCAA Division I schools such as Clemson, Furman, East Tennessee State and South Carolina just to name a few. 

The Jaguars have most of their men's team returning with the exception of Hans Troyer and Kai Brickey, who graduated. The top seven consist of Avery Jaynes, Thomas Rischar, Carlos Rodriguez, Patrick Motes, Andrew Todd, Brandon Martin and Jonathan Robertson. 

AU’s Martin and Robertson are transfers from Emmanuel College. However, this race will showcase their abilities and what they can bring to this already strong men's team.

This first meet will set the bar to see how the Jaguars will perform at the conference championships, which will take place Oct. 21 in Dahlonega, Ga.

The AU women are picked to finish second in the PBC.

The races begin at 6:30 p.m.

South Carolina-Upstate is the host school.