Oct. 28, 2005

Memphis, Tenn. - The Memphis men's cross country team is set to head to Orlando, Fla., this weekend for the Conference USA Cross Country Championships, but the short-handed group of just five Tiger runners will face a tough task against a strong C-USA field.

Going into the meet, and as has been the case all season, the U of M has just five runners, three of which are freshmen.

Junior Abraham Shaposhnik, who has been the top finisher in two of three meets, is expected to lead the team, while freshman Juan Arboleda is a likely pick to fill the second team position.

Sophomore Sam James and freshmen Jefferson Brant and Daniel Abebe will round out the Tiger squad.

UTEP, ranked 10th nationally, is the top pick to take home the men's championship, with Rice, Houston and Tulsa figured to be the Miners' toughest competitors in the eight-team field.

The C-USA Championships will be hosted by UCF at DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS® Complex in Orlando. The men's 8K race is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. (EST) Saturday morning, Oct. 29, and will be followed by the women's 5K race at 9:45.

Complete meet results will be available at www.conferenceusa.com and www.ucfathletics.com following the meet with results and a recap posted at gotigersgo.com.