Oct. 27, 2006

MEMPHIS - The Memphis cross country team will travel to the Conference USA Cross Country Championships which will be held in Greenville, N. C. on Saturday. The meet will open with the women's 5k set to begin at 10:30 a.m. (EST) followed by the men's 8k at 11:30 a.m. (EST).

"We're really excited about running tomorrow," said Memphis cross country coach Mike Power. "We've been working really hard since the beginning of the season and improving every week. This is the climax the season, and hopefully we'll run at our highest level."

Tiger runner Juan Arboleda was named C-USA Male Athlete of the Week this week, following a fourth place overall finish at the ASU Sweepstakes last weekend. Arboleda and fellow sophomore Geoff Standen will be expected to lead the Memphis men's team in Saturday's meet.

On the women's side, Lady Tiger Emily Malinowski has lead the team in every meet this season, and will look to earn a qualifying time for next week's NCAA Regional meet in Knoxville, Ten.

The first 15 men and women to cross the finish line at the conference championships will be named to the C-USA All-Conference first (5), second (5) and third (5) teams.

The Lady Tigers took fifth place at last year's championship meet in Orlando. Malinowski, the squad's highest returning finisher from a year ago, was 16th overall just missing out on all-conference honors.

East Carolina, Houston, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Tulsa, UCF and UTEP each have a men's and women's team. SMU, Southern Miss Tulane and UAB have women's teams only.

"There are a lot of good teams in our conference, but I think we have some kids who individually run with very well," Power said. "Hopefully, everyone will relax and run their best race."