The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Announces 2009 Schedule
8/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Aug. 4, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 2009 UAB cross country schedule features national competition that will test the Blazer runners throughout the season, according to head cross country coach Blake Boldon. Following a sixth-place finish at the 2008 NCAA South Regional Championships, UAB is anxious to hit the trails this fall.
"The schedule is a fantastic mix of local races and national-level meets," Boldon said. "Our focus is undoubtedly on the conference and regional championships, but it will be exciting to have a chance to run an early season 6K at a prestigious meet like the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis."
The 2009 schedule kicks off Sept. 4 in Nashville, Tenn. with the Belmont Opener for the eighth-straight year. The Blazers then return to Alabama to compete in the Earl Jacoby Memorial in Huntsville on Sept. 12 and the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 18.
"We have a few new meets this year that are very competitive," interim head coach Kurt Thomas said. "We will definitely need to be ready to run this year and I'm confident that the team will be prepared under Blake."
Continuing on with its fall schedule, UAB will head north to compete in the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis on Sept. 26. The Blazers then take a week off before competing in the Furman Invitational in Greenville, S.C. on Oct. 10 and the Coach O Invitational on Oct. 17 in Troy, Ala.
The Blazers will conclude the 2009 season at the Conference USA Championships on Oct. 31 in Houston, Texas.
"This schedule allows us to run our best and be successful at the right time," Thomas said. "We have our sights set on a conference championship and a trip to nationals."
Boldon's inaugural Blazer squad returns junior Stephanie Gammon, the 18th overall finisher at the 2008 NCAA South Regional Championships. Gammon also recorded two top-five finishes during the 2008 season and looks to improve her times in 2009. Also returning is senior Kristina Olsen, a top-10 finisher at both the Belmont Invitational and the Walt Disney World Classic last season. With the entire squad returning, the Blazers look to make a strong campaign in 2009.
