By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University cross country team’s streak of NCAA Division II National Championships bids came to an end last fall, but the Wildcats return a solid core of runners this year and they got a head start recently as they announced this year’s schedule.

NMU opens the year with an exhibition meet at Michigan Tech August 30 before starting the regular season with the Northwood Invitational in Midland on September 8.

The Wildcats stay downstate the following week for the Spartan Invitational in East Lansing on Sept. 13. Northern will be competing against some Division I programs at that meet with six DI teams taking part last year.

The Wildcats close out the month with the Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul (Minn.) on Sept. 28. They finished fifth out of 22 teams in 2018.

October starts off with the Conference Crossover in Romeoville (Ill.) on the 5th and then the regular season ends with NMU hosting the U.P. Championships Oct. 18.

The GLIAC Championships take place Oct. 26 in Sault Ste. Marie and the NCAA Regionals will follow on November 9 in Evansville (Ind.).

The annual trips to the NCAA Championships ended in 2018, but the Wildcats return a good chunk of last year’s roster including Iron River native Victoria Harris, Hanna Torvi, Katelyn Smith and Paige Du Bois.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.