BOSTON – Suffolk cross country is set to hit the trails for the first time in 2021 this afternoon as the Rams host the Suffolk Short Course Classic at Franklin Park. The men's 5K will open the season at 1:30 p.m., with the women's 3K wrapping the action up at 2:15 p.m. 

SOCIAL SAYINGS
Ram Nation has a chance to keep up with all the latest news and notes on Suffolk Athletics, its student-athletes and teams by following the Rams on  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #RamNation a behind-the-scene look at Suffolk Athletics.

SUFFOLK ATHLETICS 2021-22 FAN POLICY
Suffolk University Athletics, following guidance from the University's health and safety protocols, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, plans to allow fans to attend home athletic contests during the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.

Fans, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, can attend games. They must be masked the entire time they are on campus, pursuant to institutional policy, and complete a health screening form at the security desk of each building upon arrival. This policy applies to home contests played on campus at the Ridgeway Building's Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court, as well as the Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink and the Louis E. Porrazzo Memorial Skating Rink.

For outdoor outings, specifically at East Boston Memorial Park, fans are asked to respect COVID safety protocols. At this time, masks will not be mandated for fans no matter vaccinated status at outdoor venues.

MORE READING: Suffolk Athletics Announces Fan Policy for 2021-22

RAMS REWIND
The blue-and-gold's leader will most likely be a fresh face this season after Suffolk lost its powerhouse, the most decorated Rams' runner – either male or female – Emily Manfra to graduation two years ago. Just five runners are returners in seniors Michaela Casey, Megan Qualters and Skyler Spanbauer and juniors Sarah Lawton and Michelle Riley. Spanbeauer is the most experienced Ram and holds an all-conference accolade to her name. 

RAMS ROOKIES
Head coach Will Feldman has unveiled that nine true freshmen will add depth to an already experienced Suffolk women's cross country roster for the upcoming 2021 season.

MORE READING: Women's Cross Country Adds Nine from Class of 2025 to Roster

GEOGRAPHY 101
The Rams roster is split in half between Massachusetts locals with nine Bay state residents. California and New York are represented by a pair of runners each with one student-athlete from Illinois Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, respectively. 

CLASS CATEGORIES
Suffolk's line-up is underclassmen heavy with nine true freshmen and five sophomores. The Rams' experience lies in a trio of seniors and a pair of juniors. 

COACH'S CORNER
Will Feldman returns for his fifth season at the helm of the Suffolk cross country and track & field programs.

He has brought the Rams to regional and national success in his short term at the helm including two cross country runners – a male and female – competing at NCAA Division III Championships.

Aiding Feldman as an assistant coach this season is Josh Brodin.

WATCH AND SEE

THE COURSE
Franklin Park has turned into a familiar run for Suffolk. The partially-wooded 527-acre parkland in the Jamaica Plain and Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston is maintained by the Department of Conservation and creation.  

The park is a famed cross country course, hosting countless high school and collegiate meets through the year. Franklin Park is home to the Massachusetts All-States Meet, as well as the Northeast Division I Northeast Regional Championship on occasion and will be the location for the 2021 NCAA Division III East Regional Championships, hosted by Suffolk. The park includes courses for 5,000 meters, 6,000 meters, 8,000 meters and 10,000 meters. 

THE FIELD
The field features a representative from every NCAA Division with ten teams total sending student-athletes. The Rams' will be joined by CCC counterparts Roger Williams, Wentworth and the University of New England, MASCAC members Fitchburg and Framingham State and the Simmons women, as well as Bentley, Brown and Harvard.  

THE DISTANCE
To get the season going, the course was kept short. The women will run just a 3K, while the men competing in a 5K.  

COACH'S QUOTE
"We have an extremely talented young women's team this year," Feldman said. "I absolutely see them contending for a conference championship this season, but they are going to need time to develop. Getting a chance to open the season against the favorite to win the league will be an excellence opportunity for them to see what it takes to compete at this level. More than anything I'm looking for this group to get their first collegiate cross country meet under their belts, and put in an excellent effort. If we compete with a high effort I'll leave Franklin Park on Friday knowing we're exactly where we need to be regardless of the score."

RAMS TO WATCH

• Sydney Fogg will be going for the individual win as she begins her quest to become our first CCC individual champion. 
• Senior Skylar Spanbeauer and freshmen Therese McKeagney and Gwen Koziara will be looked upon to step up in Cassidy Jarish's absence. Jarish is the Rams' number two, but will be on the sidelines of the course today due to injury.

SIGHTS & SOUNDS: 2021 FALL MEDIA DAY

WHAT'S AHEAD?
Suffolk has two weeks to prep for its next event, the UMass Dartmouth Invitational, which ships the Rams to Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 18.