Louisville Cross Country Begins Season at Mid-America Opener

The men’s team won last year’s 6K, while the women finished second in the 4K.

 

August 31, 2012

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville men’s and women’s cross country teams open the 2012 campaign this weekend, as both groups head north to compete in the Mid-America Opener at the Evansville Cross Country Course on Saturday, Sept. 1, in Evansville, Ind.

 

The women’s 4K is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET, with the men’s 6K following. Along with Louisville and event-host Evansville, Oakland City and Kentucky Wesleyan also will be competing at Saturday’s meet.

 

The Cardinals have competed at the event each year dating back to the 2007 season. Louisville’s men’s squad has captured four of a possible five team titles (2007-09, 2011), while the women’s team also has registered four victories (2007-10).

 

“We’re always excited to get the season started after coming out of camp and normal practice routine,” assistant men’s coach Joe Walker said. “You like to get that competitive feel back. We’ll open with a small group on the men’s side and then try to add 2-3 guys over the next two weeks, with an eye toward being ready as we progress into the championship schedule.”

 

The men’s squad features six returnees, including 2010 all-BIG EAST honoree Tyler Byrne, and two newcomers. Louisville’s women’s squad boasts four underclassmen and three upperclassmen.

 

“It’s a great opportunity for our young women’s squad to really get acclimated to race day competition, go through the warms ups and nervousness and come together as a team,” assistant women’s coach Taryn Sheehan said. “It’s a chance for them to learn, make some mistakes, but then learn from them before we move on to the bigger meets later in the season.”

 

For all of the latest information on Louisville cross country and track and field, log on to UofLsports.com, or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/louisvilletrack.

 

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For More Information, Contact:

Ira Green, (502) 852-4857

Ira.Green@louisville.edu