Nov. 14, 2003

AUBURN - The University of Memphis women's cross country team and men's runner Adam Didyk will compete in the NCAA South Regional on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Indian Pines Golf Course in Auburn, Ala. The meet will start at 9 a.m. with the men's 10,000-meter race, while the women's 6,000-meter race gets underway at 10 a.m.

Adam Didyk, the Tigers top-runner this fall and 11th place finisher individually at the C-USA Championships will compete in the men's competition. A total of 255 cross country runners will be selected from nine regionals nationally for the NCAA Championships in two weeks. Didyk hopes to have one of his best efforts and qualify for NCAA's.

"I feel like I'm running as well as I can right now," said Didyk. "It's been my goal all along to qualify for NCAA's and I hope I can do that Saturday." Didyk, a senior from Adelaide, Australia, is hopeful that this will not be his last competition as a Memphis Tiger. Should Didyk not qualify for NCAA's, it will mark the end of his career as a Memphis runner as Didyk's eligibility ends this fall.

Despite a 14th place finish at the C-USA Championship, Coach Jonas Holdeman opted to enter his squad in the NCAA Regional, which is an open event, hoping that his team of seven true freshmen and 10 underclassmen can gain more experience and continue to build for the future. Senior Ali Baker will compete for the last time as a Memphis runner, while youngsters Michel Wilson, Becca McMahon, Kara Cassel, Mary Claire Dake, Nora Nemere and Daniele Riendeau look to imprive their times and gain confidence for the spring track season.