Sept. 24, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio - Both the men's and women's cross country teams will compete in the Ohio Invitational this weekend at the Ohio University Golf Course. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. with the women's race, followed at 11:15 a.m. when the men take the course. Squaring off with the men are the Bearcats of Cincinnati, while the women are racing against Cincinnati, the Cleveland State Vikings, and the Bears of Shawnee State.

"This week should be a test for our top athletes. Cincinnati has a competitive team and will be coming to challenge us. The training has been going great and our teams, both men and women, will be ready to go," said head coach Clay Calkins.

The Bobcats opened the season Sept. 13 in Athens at the Green and White Invitational. Both teams placed first, scoring 15 points, ahead of Robert Morris University. Junior Ridge Robinson led the men with a time of 14:59.16 in the 5K event. Senior Shamus Eaton, freshman Tyler Cantley, and seniors Drew Fattlar and Chad Toussant rounded out the top five.

All-MAC First Team performer Kari Summers paced the women's 5K with a time of 17:15.66. Fellow junior and All-MAC runner Annie Beecham posted a time of 17:32.02 for second place, followed by juniors Jenielle Hunt and Abigail Swift and senior Melissa Hornor finishing the top five.

Cincinnati is off to a strong start this season, with both the men and women picking up back-to-back wins at the Queen City Invitational in Alexandria, Ky. and the Mel Brodt Invitational in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Vikings of Cleveland State are coming off a fifth place showing out of 18 teams at the Friendship Invitational in Cedarville, Ohio. The women of Shawnee State won the Friendship Invitational in Cedarville and finished second in their own invitational at home in Portsmouth, Ohio.

The Homecoming football game vs. VMI will follow the meet at 2:00 p.m. in Peden Stadium. The Bobcat cross country teams return to action Friday, Oct. 3, at the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.