WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State cross country team will begin their season by hosting the 73^rd Annual JK Gold Classic Saturday at 4 Mile Creek Resort in Augusta, Kan.
 
The women's team returns two all-conference runners in Yazmine Wright and McKenna Paintin. Wright and Paintin finished third and seventh overall at last season's JK Gold Classic in January to help lead the Shocker women to their fifth victory over that last six years, beating second-place Cincinnati by seven points.
 
"Last year was so much fun, especially because it was such a weird year, so to finally be back out on the course and win was just a great feeling," Paintin said. "This year, we're just going in with that same mindset. It's going to be great to finally have a real cross country season again."
 
On the men's side, Wichita State is led by all-conference runner Jed Helker, who joins nine other returners for the Shockers.
 
"Ideally, we'll start off the season with a team win," Helker said. "We're returning a lot of good guys, so it would be good to get a solid race in and head into our next meet with some confidence."
 
Helker looks to take the individual title this year after finishing sixth overall in the winter JK Gold Classic.
 
"For this weekend, the goal is to try to get the individual win," Helker said. "We'll have some really good JUCO and unattached guys there, so it will be a good competition."
 
The men's 6K race will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the women's 5K at 9 a.m.