MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama men's cross country team and three members of the women's team will compete in the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships this Saturday at Harry Pritchett Running Park in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Hosted by Alabama, the meet will begin at 10 a.m., with the men's 10,000-meter race, while the women's 6,000-meter race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.
Ranked No. 8 in the South Region, the Jaguar men have not competed as a team at regionals since 2006. On the women's side, Tori Lawson, Jessie Mackie, and Magrina Chepkoech will compete as individuals.
"It's going to be a great meet on Saturday. We have two runners, Zac Edwards and Micah Tirop, who will be battling it out to place in the top five," distance coach Tim Goldsack said. "As a team, we are racing to finish higher in the region than we ever have in school history."
In 2008, Tirop qualified for his second NCAA Cross Country Championship with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA South Regional. Representing the women was Chepkoech, clocking in a time of 22:58.28 in the 6K. Her 58th-place finish is the best Jaguar regional finish on the women's side since Wendy Davis finished 17th in 2000.
The top two teams and four individuals from each race will automatically advance to the 2009 NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., scheduled for Nov. 23.
"We have worked all year long for this race. It is going to be a great day," said Goldsack.
Results following Saturday's races can be found on the USA cross country page.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872)
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