XC Central: Gans Creek Classic

COLUMBIA, Mo. — After a four-week training block following its 2025 season opener, Tennessee cross country returns to action this week with a trip to Columbia, Missouri, for the seventh annual Gans Creek Classic. The Vols and Lady Vols line up Friday morning in a loaded field featuring 30 nationally ranked squads at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.

The women's gold invitational 6k begins at 10 a.m. ET, followed by the men's gold invitational 8k at 10:45 a.m. Both teams will get the first of three opportunities to compete on the Gans Creek course this fall, returning to Columbia for the Pre-National Invitational (Oct. 18) and the NCAA National Championships (Nov. 22).

STACKED FIELD: Head coach Justin Duncan's squads will face their toughest test yet, with 30 programs ranked in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national poll.

Women (11): No. 2 Oregon, No. 5 Stanford, No. 6 Alabama, No. 8 Northern Arizona, No. 12 Florida, No. 16 Michigan State, No. 18 Virginia, No. 22 Utah, No. 24 Lipscomb, No. 26 Colorado, No. 27 Iowa State
Men (19): No. 1 Iowa State, No. 4 BYU, No. 6 Virginia, No. 7 Stanford, No. 9 Wake Forest, No. 11 Alabama, No. 12 Syracuse, No. 13 Colorado, No. 14 Northern Arizona, No. 15 Butler, No. 17 Eastern Kentucky, No. 18 Washington State, No. 20 Princeton, No. 23 Tulane, No. 24 Air Force, No. 25 Ole Miss, No. 27 Michigan State, No. 28 Furman, No. 29 Tulsa

Both Tennessee squads are receiving votes in the latest USTFCCCA poll, just outside the top 30.

FOLLOW LIVE: The 2025 Gans Creek Classic will be streamed live on SEC Network+, and live results will be provided by PrimeTime Timing.

LAST TIME OUT: Zouhair Redouane and Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka claimed individual titles in their Tennessee debuts, leading the Vols and Lady Vols to a sweep at the Tennessee Cross Country Invitational on Aug. 29. UT defeated No. 11/9 Alabama, Kentucky and Chattanooga at its home opener, with both Redouane and Ogwoka later earning SEC Runner of the Week honors.

UP NEXT: The Vols will return to Columbia in three weeks for the Pre-National Invitational, set for Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.

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Players Mentioned

Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka

Zouhair Redouane

University of Tennessee Athletics