MADISON, Wis. (Oct. 26) — The stage is set for an interesting competition as the Big Ten Cross Country Championships 2023 kick off this Friday (27). The Michigan State Spartans and the Wisconsin Badgers –returning champions –are among the teams vying for the title on the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course in Madison, Wisconsin.
Schedule and Live Broadcasting Coverage
The men’s 8K championship race is slated to begin at 10:45 a.m., followed by the women’s 6K event at 11:45 a.m. Fans can catch the action live on B1G+, with live results available through PTTiming.
Defending Champions
Men’s Division
The Wisconsin men’s team, who clinched last year’s championship with 25 points, are aiming for their sixth consecutive Big Ten title. The Badgers enter Friday’s Big Ten Cross Country Championships ranked No. 24 in the latest U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national poll.
Ahead of them is Michigan, which moved seven places up to No. 19 in the latest rankings.
- Read more: How to watch the ACC Cross Country Championships 2023 live broadcast?
- Read more: Florida targeting SEC Cross Country Championships success
Women’s Division
On the women’s side, Michigan State, last year’s champions with 78 points, is also the highest-ranked team in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national poll. The Spartans are currently ranked at No. 15.
Michigan and Wisconsin, the second and third-place finishers, respectively from last season, will again look to make the podium.
Team Highlights
Michigan State Spartans
The entire women’s lineup that secured the Big Ten Championship last year is returning to Madison. Senior Katie Osika leads the team and includes senior Makenna Veen, both of whom were all-conference finishers last year.
The men’s team, which finished fourth in 2022, is fielding an experienced lineup, with 10 of 12 runners being upperclassmen.
Wisconsin Badgers
Senior Bob Liking of the Badgers is eyeing his third consecutive individual Big Ten Championship. Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Mick Byrne could become the winningest coach in Big Ten Championship history with a win on Friday.
Spectator Information
While admission is free, there will be no spectator parking on site. Parking is available at Blackhawk Church in Middleton, Wisconsin, with free shuttle service to the course.
The postseason continues with the NCAA Great Lake Regionals set for Nov. 10, also at the Zimmer Championship Course.
