Charlotte, N.C., September 12, 2025
News Summary
The Charlotte 49ers cross country team will participate in the Queen City Invite at McAlpine Creek Park. The event includes a women’s 5K race and a men’s 8K race, featuring 20 women’s teams and 21 men’s teams, including several ranked competitors. This marks an important meet as it is the only competition for the team in September, with head coach Joe Lynn expressing confidence in the team’s training and performance so far this season.
Charlotte, N.C. – The Charlotte 49ers cross country team is set to compete in the Queen City Invite on September 12, 2025. This meet, hosted by Queens University, will take place at McAlpine Creek Park, a notable venue for cross country events in Charlotte, N.C. The women’s 5K race will kick off at 6:00 p.m., followed by the men’s 8K race at 6:45 p.m.
This invite marks the second meet of the 2025 cross country season for the Charlotte 49ers and stands out as the only competition for the team in September. Following the Queen City Invite, the team will also participate in the Royals Cross Country Challenge on October 10, which is another meet at the same location. The event on September 12 will see the participation of 20 women’s teams and 21 men’s teams.
Among the competitors this year, the event will feature six nationally ranked teams, drawing attention to the level of competition. Notably, the No. 30 Wake Forest women’s team and the No. 18 North Carolina men’s team will compete alongside other recognized teams such as Wingate, Emory, Milligan, SCAD Savannah, and Montreat, which are also nationally ranked.
Head coach Joe Lynn has expressed satisfaction with the team’s training and performance so far this season. The men’s team recently clinched a victory at the Charlotte Opener on August 29, winning by a margin of 10 points against the ranked North Carolina men’s team. In that race, Bryce Anderson finished as the runner-up while teammates Moritz Kleesiek and Daniel Kelmer secured positions in the top five. Freshmen Andrew Harding, Stephen Fernetti, and Maddon Muhammad also made notable contributions with top-10 finishes.
The women’s team faced a tight challenge during their opener against the No. 13 North Carolina team, ultimately losing by just one point. Despite the loss, Lucy Stecher proudly claimed individual victory, narrowly defeating teammate Ella White. The team showcased impressive cohesion with a tight finishing gap of just 19 seconds among their top five runners.
After the Queen City Invite, the Charlotte 49ers will continue their season with the Joe Piane Classic in South Bend, IN, on October 3. This meet will launch a sequence of three consecutive weeks of competition for the team, marking an exciting period of racing as they look to build on their performances.
Summary of Key Details for the Queen City Invite:
- Event: Queen City Invite
- Date: September 12, 2025
- Location: McAlpine Creek Park, Charlotte, N.C.
- Women’s Race: 5K at 6:00 p.m.
- Men’s Race: 8K at 6:45 p.m.
- Teams: 20 women’s teams, 21 men’s teams
- Ranked Teams: 6, including No. 30 Wake Forest and No. 18 North Carolina
Upcoming Competitions:
- Next Event: Royals Cross Country Challenge on October 10
- Following Event: Joe Piane Classic on October 3
FAQ Section
What is the Queen City Invite?
The Queen City Invite is a cross country meet held annually, featuring teams from various colleges and universities.
Where is the event taking place?
The meet will take place at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What races are scheduled at the event?
The event will include a women’s 5K race and a men’s 8K race.
What other teams will be competing?
In addition to the Charlotte 49ers, the event will include teams such as Wake Forest, North Carolina, Wingate, Emory, Milligan, SCAD Savannah, and Montreat.
What are the key dates following the Queen City Invite?
After the Queen City Invite, the 49ers will participate in the Joe Piane Classic on October 3 and the Royals Cross Country Challenge on October 10.
Chart of Event Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Queen City Invite |
| Date | September 12, 2025 |
| Location | McAlpine Creek Park, Charlotte, N.C. |
| Women’s Race | 5K at 6:00 p.m. |
| Men’s Race | 8K at 6:45 p.m. |
| Participating Teams | 20 women’s teams, 21 men’s teams |
| Notable Teams | No. 30 Wake Forest, No. 18 North Carolina |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Concord Athletes Excel at Charlotte Opener
Additional Resources
- Charlotte 49ers News
- Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
- Upstate Spartans News
- Google Search: Queen City Invite Cross Country
- Wake Forest News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cross Country Running
- Gamecocks Online News
- Google News: Charlotte 49ers Cross Country
Author: HERE Charlotte
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