July 8, 2010

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis' men and women's cross country team released its fall schedule for 2010, with eight scheduled events including a home meet in September.

"We chose these dates for a combination of location and combination," said cross country coach Doug Clark. "We start out each year with relatively low-key meets and make the schedule more competitive as the season progresses."

The U of M kicks its season off September 3 wit the Belmont/Vanderbilt University Opener in Nashville, followed by the UALR Invitational in Little Rock, Ark.

Following a week off, the Tigers will host the Memphis Twilight Cross Country Classic at Mike Rose Soccer Complex, followed by the Rhodes Invitational at Shelby Park on Oct. 2.

The Tigers return to action Oct. 16 with a visit to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Chile Pepper Cross Country Invitational, before a two-week hiatus leading up to the Conference USA Championship in Tulsa, Okla., hosted by the University of Tulsa.

Saturday, Nov. 13, the NCAA Regionals will be run in Birmingham, Ala. Should any Tiger or Lady Tiger cross country runners advance through the regionals, they will compete in the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Monday, Nov. 22.

With a young women's squad and a men's squad that's transitioning from middle to longer distances, Clark's charges will get every chance to improve during the 2010 cross country team.

"We have to develop both teams this fall," said Clark. "After a few meets, a leader will emerge."