Franklin Discusses Upcoming Cross Country Season at Fall Sports Media Day
August 15, 2023 | Cross Country
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville director of track & field/cross country Joe Franklin met with local media on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the upcoming cross country season at UofL's annual Fall Sports Media Day.
"The goal and the expectation for the team is to always strive for and be the best they possibly can be, along with the goal of making national championships and representing the university on a first-class basis," said Franklin.
Franklin enters his first season with the Cardinals after spending the last 16 seasons coaching New Mexico, where he led the Lobos to a pair of women's cross country national titles in 2015 and 2017.
Joining Franklin on the cross country coaching staff will be assistant coach Baylee Mires, who spent last season on Florida State's staff before being added to the Louisville staff.
On the men's side, the Cardinals return Ian Kibiwot who narrowly missed out on a spot at the NCAA Cross Country Championships last fall after earning 17th place and All-Region honors at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The women's squad adds four transfers including Rylee Penn of Cincinnati and Layla Roebke of Tulsa who took second and third, respectively, at the 2022 AAC Cross Country Championships.
Louisville's cross country teams open up the season on Sept. 1 at the Eastern Kentucky Triangular in Richmond, Ky.
For the latest information on Louisville Track and Field/Cross Country, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram or Twitter account at @LouisvilleTFXC or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
"The goal and the expectation for the team is to always strive for and be the best they possibly can be, along with the goal of making national championships and representing the university on a first-class basis," said Franklin.
Franklin enters his first season with the Cardinals after spending the last 16 seasons coaching New Mexico, where he led the Lobos to a pair of women's cross country national titles in 2015 and 2017.
Joining Franklin on the cross country coaching staff will be assistant coach Baylee Mires, who spent last season on Florida State's staff before being added to the Louisville staff.
On the men's side, the Cardinals return Ian Kibiwot who narrowly missed out on a spot at the NCAA Cross Country Championships last fall after earning 17th place and All-Region honors at the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The women's squad adds four transfers including Rylee Penn of Cincinnati and Layla Roebke of Tulsa who took second and third, respectively, at the 2022 AAC Cross Country Championships.
Louisville's cross country teams open up the season on Sept. 1 at the Eastern Kentucky Triangular in Richmond, Ky.
For the latest information on Louisville Track and Field/Cross Country, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram or Twitter account at @LouisvilleTFXC or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
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