The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Cross Country To Start Season at Belmont Opener
9/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 4, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - For the seventh consecutive year, the UAB cross country team will start its season Friday, Sept. 5, at the Belmont Opener in Nashville, Tenn.
The meet has proved successful in recent years for the Blazers. They took fourth place at the 4K race in 2007 and captured the title in 2006.
"The Belmont Opener has been a staple meet for my program since arriving at UAB," said head coach Ray Stanfield. "It gives me and the girls a gauge of exactly where we are at this stage of our training."
Three runners from last year's squad will return to the meet after setting new personal records in 2007. Sophomore Stephanie Gammon crossed the line in 13th place in a time of 15:02.49. Sophomore Lacey Wright (15:18.40) placed 20th with junior Kristina Olsen (15:23.39) placing 25th to round out the scoring for the Blazers. The meet will also be a chance for UAB to unveil its talented freshman class.
"I am looking forward to seeing Kristina, Lacey and Stephanie compete," said Stanfield. "They are in very good shape and anxious to get going."
This year the meet will feature teams from Alabama, Belmont, Bethel, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee and Tennessee-Martin.
Earlier this week the Blazers were picked to finish fourth in Conference USA by the league's coaches.
