AUBURN, Ala.—The Auburn cross country team will open the 2020 season at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday The meet will be held at Percy Warner Park with the men's 8k race starting at 8:30 a.m. CT followed by the women's 6k at 9:15 a.m.
The meet will mark the Auburn track and field program's first competition since the 2020 SEC Indoor Championships on February 29.
"It's been a long break. It's been a long time coming. I think everyone is going to step on the starting line with a whole new newfound appreciation of the opportunity to compete. We're very excited about it."
With the uncertainty in recent months due to the COVID-19 virus, the 2020 season was officially announced on August 27.
"The way the outdoor season ended and over the summer, it's been hard, especially when you didn't know what you're training for," Barnett said. "I think that was a big, big boost for them mentally just knowing they had something to shoot for. All along the way I was telling them they had to be prepared, but it's just nice when it's official. They're ready to go. You can just tell there's been a lot more energy and a lot more excitement."
Saturday's opener will feature an all Southeastern Conference field with six teams competing. The teams will include host Vanderbilt, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee.
"We have all SEC schools competing, so it will be great. It'll be about half the SEC schools, so we will see where we stand against the competition that matters for us. It should be a good size race. We're looking forward to it.
Auburn will enter six men and six women into the race. The men's lineup will include a veterans Silas Kipngetich, Jack Rogers, Evan Rogers along with freshman Carson Bedics (Homewood, Ala.), Ryan Kinnane (Andover, Kan.) and Dustyn Lewis (Huntsville, Ala.).
The women's lineup will feature all returners competing. The group includes: Faith Bett, Mercy Kiprop, GiGi Maddox, Sarah Pacer, Hannah Tarwater and Abbey Zane.
"I'm excited. I think it's a good group. They've been they've been doing really well in workouts, so we're excited to put it together and see where they stand. There's nothing like your first race of the season," Barnett said.
After the Commodore Classic, the Tigers will return to action on October 2 at the FSU Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla.