Cross Country Opens Season at Tulane Invitational

Cross Country Coach Deb Osteen

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Southern Miss women's cross country team opens the 2004 season at the Tulane Invitational, Sept. 3, at Gretna Park in Gretna, La.

Southern Miss returns five letterwinners from last year’s team.  The Lady Eagles have added seven newcomers to the roster.

"We’re just getting back into our routine, and I believe this meet will be a good opener for us,” Cross Country Coach Deb Osteen said.  “This meet will be part of our training, and we’re not looking to do anything fantastic.  We have three of our top runners returning, and I believe they will be a great 1-2-3 punch.  I look for our newcomers to add depth."

Friday’s women’s race will cover a three-mile course and will start at 4:45 p.m., while the four-mile men’s race will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. (after the women’s contest).

Ten schools will send men’s and women’s teams to the event. Joining Tulane will be Loyola, LSU, Southern Miss (women), Southeastern Louisiana, UNO, Arkansas State, Georgia College, South Alabama and Nicholls State.

In last year’s contest, Tulane’s women won the event with 18 points, placing five runners in the top 10.  Southern Miss finished second.