The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s cross country teams have unveiled their schedule for the 2017 season, their first year of competition in the Missouri Valley Conference.

For the 24^th consecutive year, the season will begin with the Crusader Open at Sunset Hills Farm, which will take place on Friday, Sept. 1. This will mark the 29^th running of the Crusader Open. The women’s 5K will begin at 5 p.m. CT, with the men’s 6K slated to get underway at 5:45.

Two weeks later, the Crusaders will return to action as they venture to East Lansing, Mich. for the Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State. The Spartan Invitational, which takes place on Sept. 15, is a new addition to Valpo’s schedule this season and will mark the first time the Crusaders have competed in a meet in the state of Michigan since 2011.

The third meet of the year will be a familiar one for the Crusaders, as they return to the Notre Dame Invitational, a longtime staple on Valpo’s schedule, on Sept. 29. For the fifth straight season, Valpo will participate in the Bradley Classic, which will be held on Oct. 13 in Peoria, Ill. This time, the Crusaders will be participating in a meet hosted by a conference foe as both the Braves and Crusaders call the Missouri Valley Conference home.

The Crusaders will compete in their first Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Springfield, Mo. This year’s cross country championships will be hosted by Missouri State.

The schedule culminates with the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, which will be held in Terre Haute, Ind. on Nov. 10. The Regional will be in its first year in Terre Haute after five years in Madison, Wis.