ARKANSAS TECH SET TO OPEN CROSS COUNTRY SEASON FRIDAY
BY HOSTING ITS OWN INVITATIONAL

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Women’s Cross Country opens up its 2007 season on Friday by hosting the First Annual Tech Twilight Run on the grounds around Tucker Coliseum on the Tech campus.

The meet will feature seven schools, including Tech and will begin with a women’s 2-mile run at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with a men’s 4-mile run beginning at 7 p.m.

Among the school’s competing on both the women’s and men’s race are Arkansas State, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, Lyon College, University of Ozarks, while Tech will compete in the women’s race.

“This meet is shorter than all of the other meets we run during the season,” Tech Cross Country Head Coach Tom Aspel said. “For one reason, it’s shorter due to the heat at this time of year and secondly, it will give teams the chance to blow out the cobwebs and prepare for the rest of year.”

Aspel said that this meet will be spectator friendly and he encourages everyone to come out and watch.

“The fans will have a clear view to see the entire race,” Aspel added. “I encourage the Russellville community to come and watch some very runners in action on Friday night.”

Among the key runners this season for Tech include junior Kayla Waldrup (El Dorado, Ark.), junior Brianna Greene (Harrison, Ark.) and sophomore Melissa Pollreis (Gravette, Ark.), while Aspel expects freshman Lauren Karnitz (DeSoto, Kan.) to one of the his team’s top newcomers. 

“This weekend should be a good chance for us to see where we are at as a team,” said Aspel.

Following Friday’s meet, Tech will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 15 in Joplin, Mo., at the Missouri Southern Stampede. The course in Joplin is hosting this year’s NCAA Division II Championship Meet.

           -- Tech Athletics --