MOBILE, Ala. – The schedule for the University of South Alabama men's and women's cross country teams' upcoming 2014 season – a slate highlighted by three home competitions – was released on Monday, head coach David Barnett announced.
 
The Jags will kick off the campaign by hosting two consecutive meets.  The inaugural South Alabama Opener will be held on Aug. 29 at Battleship Memorial Parkway in Mobile, while the 40^th annual Azalea City Classic will take place two weeks later on Sept. 12 at the Mobile County Fairgrounds.
 
"I'm excited for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to race early in front of home crowds on courses they're familiar with," Barnett said.  "I expect everyone on both the men's and women's teams will want to make the most of these early chances to earn their way onto the travel squad later in the season."
 
On the weekend of Oct. 3-4, USA will send runners to two separate competitions, travelling to Jackson, Miss., for the Mississippi College Watson Ford Invitational on Friday and to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Chili Pepper Invitational hosted by Arkansas on Saturday. 
 
For the second year in a row, the Jaguars will conclude the regular season by travelling to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for Alabama's Crimson Classic on Oct. 17.
 
Postseason action begins Nov. 2 when USA returns to Battleship Memorial Parkway and plays host to the Sun Belt Conference Championships for the first time since 1989.
 
"Ideally you gain some confidence at the conference meet from knowing what to expect from the course," Barnett noted.  "But ultimately, the best team is going to win."
 
On Nov.14, the NCAA Division I South Regional Championships will be held on the campus of Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., where runners will compete for the opportunity to advance to the NCAA National Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 21.
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
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