Aug. 31, 2006

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The Southern Miss women's cross country team opens the 2006 season, competing in the Tulane Invitational, Sept. 1. According to first-year head cross country coach Cassandra Goodson, the team has been working hard.

"We have been working hard since school started," Goodson said. "We don't have a lot of experienced runners from last season, but I expect Brittany Wood and Rona Sandoval to be our leaders."

Goodson returns only two of the top runners from last year's team. In addition, she welcomes 10 newcomers to the 2006 squad.

"It's been a chaotic summer for them," Goodson said. "They weren't able to get a whole lot of base and that's what we are doing now. I am looking more towards the end of the season, when we compete in the conference meet."

Heading the list of returnees is junior Wood (Pelham, Ala.), who competed in all six meets last season. She ran a season-best time of 18:45.69 in the 5K. Also returning is sophomore Sandoval (Picayune, Miss.). As a freshman, Sandoval competed in all six meets, posting a best-time of 18:55.02 in the 5K.

The newcomers include Jemarie Alcordo (The Philippines'), Jasmine Anderson (Hammond, La.), Katlin Daugherty (Big Bend, Wis.), Stephanie DuBose (Nashville, Tenn.), Jolisa Evans (Birmingham, Ala.), Kyndale Fancher (Birmingham, Ala.), Diamond Harris (Jackson, Miss.), Kirsten Richards (Birmingham, Ala.), Jamaka Wall (Oxford, Ala.) and Nyeisha Wright (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Goodson also added additions from the track and field team with Kimberly Danczyk (Vicksburg, Miss.), Cheris Fletcher (Albany, Ga.), Terria Owens (Taylorsville, Miss.), Lauren Reeves (Boerne, Texas), Ashley Reyer (Petal, Miss.), Kenika Weaver (College Park, Ga.) and Kim Williams (Pleasant Grove, Ala.).

The Lady Eagles will compete in five meetings before the Conference USA Championships, scheduled for Oct. 28 in Greenville, NC.

"I'm glad that we will get a couple of meets under our belts before we run at Alabama," Goodson said. "These first two meets should help us get our feet wet and get the nerves out. Alabama and Auburn will be competitive meets."

Southern Miss will host its annual cross country meet, Sept. 8, at Tatum Park. The location has changed from Vann Hook Gold Course, Lake Sehoy side to Tatum Park. The event includes a high school race, university and college race and an open race. The high school meet begins at 4 p.m., with the girls followed by boys. The university women's race is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by the men's race. There will also be an open 5K race.