The Eastern cross country teams will host the EIU Walt Crawford Open on Friday.

The Eastern men’s cross country team won their eighth OVC championship, the first win for the Panthers since 2005.

In addition to the championship win, head coach Erin Howarth was named the OVC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year.

The men’s cross country team is set to open the season ranked 11th in the Midwest Region, the same spot they finished last season in the final regional rankings.

The Panther women finished 3rd in the OVC Championships last spring, landing them 15th place in the final 2020-2021 Midwest Regional rankings.

The EIU Walt Crawford Open will take place at the Tom Woodall Panther Trail. The women’s 5K race will begin at 3:45 p.m., followed by the men’s 8K race at 4:30 p.m.

Autumn Schulz can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].