University of Louisville’s director of track & field and cross country, Joe Franklin, met with local media on Tuesday afternoon during UofL’s annual Fall Sports Media Day to discuss the upcoming cross country season.
Excitement for the New Season
“We’re super excited about this academic year,” Franklin shared. “There are a lot of positive things we have coming. We have a good recruiting class and a good schedule built for cross country.”
Franklin is entering his second season leading the Louisville program after a successful 16-year tenure at the University of New Mexico. His experience and enthusiasm are evident as he looks to build on the foundation laid in his first year.
Men’s Squad Highlights
The men’s team will be spearheaded by senior Ian Kibiwot, who made a remarkable comeback last season. Kibiwot earned First Team All-American honors after placing sixth nationally in the men’s 10,000m at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships, despite missing the 2023 cross country season due to injury. His leadership and performance will be pivotal for the Cardinals this season.
Women’s Squad Highlights
On the women’s side, the Cardinals are set to return key runners Rylee Penn and Layla Roebke. The duo led the team to their best finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional since 2017, and they are expected to play crucial roles in the team’s success this year.
Season Opener
The Cardinals will open their season on the first weekend of October, with the team splitting between the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational on October 4 and the Live in Lou Classic on October 5. Both events will set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season for Louisville cross country.
With a strong roster and an optimistic outlook, Coach Franklin and the Cardinals are poised for a successful cross country season.
