Women's Cross Country to Battle No. 1 Washington
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 16, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -The Alabama women'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 women were selected to compete in the White Race (37 teams) where they will face 14 nationally ranked squads including four teams ranked in the top 10 (No. 1 Washington, No. 5 Princeton, No. 8 Minnesota and No. 9 Florida). The Crimson Tide will toe the line at 11:55 a.m. CT for the 6,000 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. On the women's side, No. 9 Florida is the lone conference program competing at the Pre-National Invitational to be recognized in the rankings.
Tide to Face SEC Opponents: In the women's White Race, Alabama will face off against two other Southeastern Conference teams including preseason favorite to win the 2009 SEC Championship, Florida. Georgia will also be in the race and were voted to finish fifth in the SEC this year. Alabama was selected to finish seventh in the conference.
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.
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 ladies return everybody from their top seven including All-SEC Freshmen and All-South Region performers Sara Vaughn and Kelsey Johnson. Vaughn also qualified for the NCAA Championships. Also returning is 2007 All-SEC and All-South Region selection Haley Moody.
