Oct. 31, 2003

TAMPA, Fla.-The ninth annual C-USA Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the USF Golf Course in Tampa, Fla. The men's 8K race will begin at 8:30 a.m. (EST) and includes the 12 C-USA men's programs (all except Southern Miss and UAB). The 6K women's competition begins at 9:30 a.m. (EST) and will include competitors from all 14 C-USA schools.

For the Memphis Men, they head into this year's competition with a legitimate chance to compete for the title. The Tigers suffered a crucial loss when Ferenc Bekesi, perhaps their top cross country runner, left the team this fall, but the Tigers still have four excellent runners and if a fifth runner contributes, the Tigers could surprise at the meet. Adam Didyk, Kym Morgan, Mate Nemeth and Szabi Karadi lead the way for the Tigers, while middle distance runner Istvan Kerekjarto will fill the fifth spot for the Tigers.

Last year, Charlotte came away with the team victory for the first time in league history. The 49ers placed three runners in the top 15 at the Van Hook Golf Course in Hattiesburg, Miss., and won with 53 points. Marquette placed second with 71 points while Cincinnati took third (81 pts.)

On the Women's side, a young Lady Tiger team looks to gain a valuable experience at the meet. Senior Ali Baker, a former standout soccer player at Memphis, will compete in her last athletic event Saturday. Since joining the cross country team this fall, she has been one of the top runners. Freshmen Mary Claire Dake, Michel Wilson, Becca McMahon, Daniele Riendeau and Kara Cassel look to show the conference that they will be a formidable team in the future as their young careers blossom.

In the 2002 women's competition, Marquette won for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in league history, finishing with 29 points. In second and third place were USF and DePaul, respectively, with 48 points and 103 points.