Cross Country to open season Friday at Saluki Early Bird

09/01/2010 | 12:00:00 | Cross Country

Sept. 1, 2010

By Michael Benson
SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois men's and women's cross country teams will kick off their 2010 campaign Friday evening as they host the Saluki Early Bird.

The Salukis will face off with Missouri, Murray State, and Rend Lake College, beginning with the women's 4K race at 5:30 p.m. The men's 6K race will follow at 6 p.m. The course's starting line is located beyond the outfield fence of Abe Martin Field on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The men's team is looking to return to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference this season after finishing a close second place in 2009. The squad is tied for first in the MVC preseason poll with Indiana State. Meanwhile, the women's team is picked sixth in the MVC.