Five things to know: Wisconsin will host the Pre-Nationals

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's cross country team will conclude its regular season on Saturday, October 19 at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, hosted by the University of Wisconsin at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course. The men's 8-kilometer “A” race starts at 10:40 a.m., followed by the men's “Open” and B races at 12:00 and 1:20 p.m

For this year's Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, a ticket is $20, including shuttle rides, and a parking permit is $5. One parking permit is required per vehicle and one entry ticket is required for each bus ride. Spectators are asked to purchase parking and tickets in advance. All transactions, including on-site sales, are cashless. Fans can purchase parking and tickets here.

On race day, spectators can stay up to date with all the action by following our social networks on Instagram and

1. TOP COMPETITION: According to the USTFCCCA Coaches' Poll, 19 of the top 30 teams in the country will participate in the prestigious event, including seven from the top 10 and thirteen from the top 20. The Badgers enter the weekend ranked No. 10 in the USTFCCCA Coaches' Poll. Opinion poll.

2. REVIEW: The last time the Badgers competed in the Pre-Nationals was in 2018. Wisconsin finished 13th overall in the Cardinal race with 396 total points. The first to cross the finish line for the Badgers was freshman Shuaib Aljabaly, who ran 24:27.0, placing 46th overall and setting a personal best.

3. B1G MOVES: Bob Liking was named the Big Ten Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week after leading the Badgers to victory in his first race of the season, the Sean Earl Invitational, on Friday, Oct. 4. The St. Charles, Illinois native has now been presented with this award for the fourth time in his career.

4. In case you missed it: Led by three-time Big Ten cross country champion Bob Liking, the No. 18 Wisconsin men's cross country team won the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational on Friday morning. UW defeated two teams that were ranked higher than them in the final USTFCCCA National Coaches Poll as UW finished with 69 team points and defeated then-No. 10 Alabama, which finished second with 73 points.

5. NEXT: The Badgers travel to Urbana-Champaign, Illinois for the Big Ten Championships on Friday, November 1st. The Badgers have won the last six Big Ten men's titles.