Cross Country Starts Saturday

Aug. 30, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma men's and women's cross country teams start their season at the Hurricane Festival, Saturday, Sept. 1, at Mohawk Park in Tulsa.

Hosted by the University of Tulsa, the meet has been a traditional opener, having been on OU's schedule four of the past five seasons.

The Sooners are looking to make a jump to the top half of the conference standings in Martin Smith's third season as head coach. The teams have been progressively improving and, with expectations rising after winning an outdoor track title in 2007, should take a bigger jump this season. In 2005, the men were 11th in the Big 12 and the women were 12th. Last season, the men took ninth and the women finished eighth.

Related Links: Roster | Schedule | What is Cross Country? | Summer Signings

Rob Sorrell made history at Tulsa last season when he became the first Sooner freshman in over a quarter century to win his debut race, leading OU to its first team victory at the meet in nine visits.

Sorrell will lead the Sooners again this season with senior Jason Coleman out indefinitely due to injury.

Junior Tony Clement, sophomores Matt Grey, Jon Grey and Chris Sweeney, and highly-touted freshman Kevin Schwab will also compete Saturday. Clement, Matt Grey and Schwab are making their debuts as Sooners.

All-American Jessica Eldridge leads a strong Sooner women's team with fellow seniors Kristi Cook and Catherine Odell. Talented newcomers Jessica Engel, Christina Ferber, Chelsea Jones, Kelly Waters and Lauren Watson give the team depth it has not had in several years.

The men's race begins at 8 a.m. with the women following at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Teams from Oklahoma State and Tulsa will complete the field.

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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