University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Cross Country Set to Host 30th Annual Southern Miss Invitational
9/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 2, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss women's cross country team will host the 30th Annual Southern Miss Invitational, Sept. 3, at Tatum Park. It is the first of two home meets this season.
Over 40 high school teams and five collegiate teams are set to compete in the annual event. The high school girls' 2-mile race begins at 2 p.m., followed by the boys' 5K race at 2:30. The collegiate women's 5K is set for 3:15 p.m., followed by the collegiate men's four-mile race.
"This year's 30th Annual Southern Miss Invitational is the largest in school history," Coach Kevin Stephen said. "We look forward to putting on a very high level competition for the athletes and spectators. This year we have high schools and universities coming in from Alabama, Louisiana and all over Mississippi. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our team, university and our city. In the university race our women are ready to defend last year's championship."
Cross Country Head Coach Keri Frazier returns five letterwinners from last year's team that finished won the event.
Heading the list of returnees is senior Zuna Portillo-Rodriguez who finished second in the event last season. Also returning are sophomores Kara and Krista Moylan, Jocelyn Lockhart and Stephanie Ledgerwood. Joining the Golden Eagles is freshman Brittany Ware of Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Oak Grove High School Girls and Clinton High School boys took home the team titles last year. On the collegiate side, Southern Miss women's team and West Alabama men's team claimed the team title. This year's field includes men's and women's teams from South Alabama, Xavier (N.O), Jackson State, UL-Monroe and Southern Miss women's team.
Results of the meet will be available approximately 6:30 p.m., and can be found on the www.southernmiss.com web site on the women's cross country page.
Southern Miss will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the Crimson Classic, Sept. 18.
