Sept. 1, 2005

Commerce,TX - Head coach Pat Ponder and his cross country squads will open up their 2005 season at the Bear Relays Friday. After a fourth place finish for the women's team and a seventh for the men at the Lone Star Conference Championship last year, the Lions are looking forward to the new season with a few fresh faces for both squads.

The women bring a mixture of a couple of veterans and fresh faces to the bunch. Top runner Nikki Williams will lead the women's team once again. Last season at the conference championship, the junior led the Lions with a 23:50:95 time finishing fifth overall. Other top runners returning for the women are Sophomore Tiara Medlock and Junior Kara Bickel, along with four Freshman Danielle Daniels, Heather Eaton, Courtney Fernandes, and Chelsea Pattison.

For the men, Seniors Ryan Dirickson and Caleb Reynolds will lead the way. At the conference championship last season, the two tabbed a 29th and 51st place finish respectively. They are joined by Sophomores Jerrie Rodriguez, Dure'll Twitty, Junior Michael Snowden and Freshmen, Logan Bowman, Brian Clark, Amos Davidson and Matthew Snowden.



The Bear Relays is scheduled to take place all day in Waco, Texas. For more information log onto www.lionathletics.com.