Boone, N.C. — The Georgia men’s and women’s cross country teams will open the 2025 season at Appalachian State’s Covered Bridge Invite, held Friday morning at the State Farm Field.

The Bulldog’s seasoning opening trip to Boone, N.C. this weekend begins the three-meet regular season for the team and marks the first time Georgia has opened the season at the meet since the 2023 season.

Georgia is under the direction of second-year cross country coach and Georgia Alum, Adam Tribble. Last season in his first year at Georgia, Tribble contributed to school history with the performance of now junior Ryan Olree, who became the first Bulldog in three years to win All-South Region honors.

“This is a much-anticipated opener for us since we have been putting in the work all summer and have so many new faces set to officially become Bulldogs,” said Tribble.

Eleven individuals will make their debut in red in black this weekend. Newcomers on the women’s side are freshmen Madeleine Holland, Lucy Jones, Anastasia Nilsson, Addison Scott, Lauren Skeens, Maeve Waddell and Elise Wooddell. Meanwhile on the men’s squad, graduate transfer Will Aitken, freshman Kristers Kudlis, Cal Baptist graduate transfer Matias Reynaga and graduate transfer Oliver Smart join returning juniors Olree and Conner Rutherford on Friday.

“I can’t wait to see these teams in motion.  I like the way our schedule lines up with three spread out regular season meets. I am confident we will get off in the right direction and am looking forward to the challenge.”

Competition will begin at 9:15 a.m. ET on Friday morning with the women’s 5K race, followed by the men’s 6K race at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Results and recaps from the Bulldogs’ cross country season will be found at georgiadogs.com. News and updates from Georgia’s track and field and cross country teams are always located on X/Instagram at @UGATrack.