DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Garon Jackson, Director of Track & Field at Bethune-Cookman University, unveiled the 2024 Wildcats Cross Country schedule on Thursday, Aug. 22, with a lineup of no less than six meets during the upcoming campaign.
 
"We've put together a challenging schedule that will push our student-athletes and prepare them for championship competition," said Coach Jackson, ready to begin his second full year at the helm in Daytona Beach. "We're excited to see what our team can accomplish this season."
 
The season begins Friday, Aug. 30, with the UCF Cross Country Invitational in Orlando, Florida. The 5K race begins at 6 p.m., as the Wildcats join teams from all across the "Sunshine State" in the form of Florida, Jacksonville, South Florida, Stetson and Florida State, in addition to host UCF.
 
Following their season opener, the Wildcats will head to Jacksonville on September 13 for the Duval 5K Cross Country Challenge.
 
On September 21, Bethune-Cookman will remain in Volusia County as part of the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach. A start time for the event will be announced closer to the race.
 
The team will then travel to Tallahassee on September 27 for the Florida State Pre-Regional, an early morning challenge beginning at 8:20 a.m. This event will give the Wildcats a preview of the course they could potentially face later in the season for the NCAA South Regional Championships (November 15).
 
October brings two key events for the Maroon and Gold beginning October 12, when B-CU competes in the 17th Annual Sand Shark Invitational starting at 8:45 a.m. The race is hosted by USC-Beaufort in Hardeeville, South Carolina. That race will be followed by the highly anticipated Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship back in Tallahassee on October 21, with an 8 a.m. start time.
 
The season reaches its climax in November with two potential championship meets.
 
The NCAA South Regional Championships will take place in Tallahassee on November 15, with the time to be announced. Should the team qualify, they will compete in the NCAA Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 23.
 
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