IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's and women's cross country teams have released their 2023 schedule.
 
The Anteaters have four regular-season meets before postseason action begins with the Big West Championships on Oct. 27.
 
"While disappointed we can't start the year at home like we have the last two seasons, we are excited to open up our cross country season by heading to Cal Poly to get a look at the course that will host the Big West Championships at the end of October," said distance coach Casey Kear. "The middle of our schedule will be familiar as we race two really solid meets at UC Riverside and Santa Clara.
 
"After a small group competes at Fullerton, we will turn our focus to the Big West and Regional championship meets. We hope to build off the progress made last fall and off the great spring track season we had. I fully believe we will have student-athletes in contention to qualify for the NCAA Championship at the end of the season."
 
For the first time since 2019, UCI is slated to kick off the campaign on the road as it heads to Cal Poly for its season-opening meet on Sept. 1.
 
The Anteaters then make their way to the Inland Empire for the UCR Invitational on Sept. 16. After a four-week break from competition, UC Irvine travels to Santa Clara for its second consecutive appearance in the Bronco Invitational (Oct. 14).
 
A few 'Eaters will stay local for the Titan Invitational (Oct. 20) in Fullerton, before UCI heads up the coast to San Luis Obispo for the Big West Championships on Oct. 27. Last year, the women's squad claimed runner-up honors, coming in one point behind defending champion Cal Poly. It was the closest finish in meet history.
 
The Anteaters continue their postseason at the NCAA West Regional in Sacramento (Nov. 10). Qualifying teams and individuals will then head to Charlottesville, Virginia, for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 18.