No. 3 Alabama Heads to Pre-National Meet
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 16, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 3 Alabama men's cross country team is set to compete at the Pre-National Invitational hosted by Indiana State University on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center - the site of the 2009 NCAA Championships.
The men were selected to compete in the Blue Race (35 teams) where they will face 10 nationally ranked squads including three teams ranked in the top 10 (No. 2 Northern Arizona, No. 7 Oregon and No. 9 William & Mary). The Crimson Tide will toe the line at 11:00 a.m. CT for the 8,000 meter race. Results can be found at www.gosycamores.com after every race.
Nationally Ranked SEC Teams: The USTFCCCA released the Week 3 Coaches' Poll this week and the SEC is represented by six schools - three men's and three women's teams. The Pre-National Invitational will feature the No. 3 Alabama men and the Auburn men who are receiving votes in the polls as they go head to head for the second time this season in the men's 8,000 meter race.
Tide to Face SEC Opponents: In the men's Blue Race, Alabama will get a look at three teams from the Southeastern Conference two weeks before the SEC Championships. Alabama and Auburn, voted to finish 1-2 at the 2009 SEC Championships prior to the season, will meet for a second time after the Tide bested the Tigers at the Crimson Classic earlier this year. Other SEC teams competing in the race and their predicted SEC finish are Florida (4th) and Georgia (8th).
Host of 2009 NCAA South Region Championships: The Alabama cross country teams have been named the host of the 2009 NCAA South Region Championships to be held on Nov. 14 at Harry Pritchett Running Park. Alabama last hosted the region meet in 2004 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. when the men and women finished eighth and 15th, respectively. The men's 10,000 meter competition is slated for a 10:00 a.m. start while the women's 6,000 meter race will begin at 11:15 a.m.
Alabama Earns Highest National Ranking in School History: When the USTFCCCA released the Men's Cross Country Coaches' Poll for week 2 on Oct. 6, the Alabama men moved up six places from ninth to third reaching their highest ranking in school history. The Crimson Tide's previous high ranking was during the preseason poll in 2008 when they found themselves ranked fifth.
Crimson Tide in the Rankings: The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Week 3 Rankings were released this week. Alabama's men rank first in the South Region, while the women are third. The men are also ranked third in the national rankings.
Top Returners: The Alabama men return three of its top five from the 2008 SEC Championship squad. All three (Tyson David, Emmanuel Bor, Andrew Kirwa) were named All-SEC and All-South Region last year.
