KSC Cross Country to Host Alumni Race on Saturday; 1985 Men's Team to Hold a Reunion

KEENE, N.H., 8/31/10 – Keene State College cross country teams will host their annual Alumni Invitational at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday. The women’s race begins at 11 a.m. The gun for the men’s race goes off at 11:30 a.m.

Former Owl runners will get more than they bargained for when they step to the start line. In addition to racing against the current members of the Keene State teams, Owl alums will be going up against runners from several schools, including the University of Lowell, Assumption, Babson, Fitchburg State, Norwich, and New England College.

“There aren’t many events to start the year, so a lot of teams called asking if they could come up and run,” said Keene State coach Peter Thomas. “It will make for an interesting race, but I’m not sure the alums are looking forward to running against college kids again. Some might want to become spectators instead of participants.”

As part of the festivities, the 1985 men’s cross country team has organized a 25th reunion. The 1985 team completed an amazing season by finishing third at the Division II NCAA championship. “It’s going to be great to get back together and celebrate what I believe is one of Keene State’s greatest athletic accomplishments,” said Steve Fortier, a key member of the 1985 squad. “That team was special, not only for our finish, but because we were just a bunch of country boys from New Hampshire and Vermont who overcame a lot of adversity.”

Both Keene State teams enter the race ranked in the preseason regional poll. The KSC men are ranked fourth, while the Owl women are in the eighth spot.