XC Closes out Regular Season

Oct. 10, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma cross country team closes out its regular season with the Penn State National Invite this Friday, Oct. 12, at the Penn State Blue and White Golf Courses in State College, Pa.

The event, which comes two weeks before the 2007 Big 12 Championships, will give the Sooners an opportunity to face unfamiliar competition as the only team from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region.

The OU men's team is coming off a ninth-place finish two weeks ago in the prestigious Roy Griak Invitational and is currently ranked seventh in the USTFCCCA Midwest Region.

The men will face 18 teams on the 5.2-mile course in its quest to bolster last year's sixth-place finish. Rob Sorrell, who was named the Big 12 Runner of the Week on Sept. 4, is the top returning finisher from last year's event, coming in 22nd with a time of 26 minutes and 21 seconds.

The OU women's team is boosted by the return of All-American Jessica Eldridge who was held out of the Griak in which the Sooners finished 17th. Eldridge, one of two seniors on the team, will be needed as the Sooners face a tough 26-team field, including three top-30 teams on the 6,000-meter course.

The second senior on the Oklahoma squad, Catherine Odell, was the team's top-finisher in the Griak, coming in 31st, and is being counted on for leadership as Friday's contingent includes four freshmen and sophomore Lauren Watson.

The women's competition begins at 9 a.m. CST with the men's division following at 10 a.m. Syracuse is the event's defending champion in both the men's and women's divisions.

A complete recap and full results will be available on SoonerSports.com shortly following the conclusion of the event.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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