Oct. 20, 2005

COMMERCE, TEXAS. -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University will host more than 120 runners from 18 teams, including the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions, in the annual running of the Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships. The meet is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22 in Weatherford, Okla. The meet is being held in Weatherford for the first time, and will be run on, around and alongside Prairie West Golf Course.

Coach Patrick Ponder feels pretty good about this week' s championship meet, both of his men and women's teams had good showing at the Tarleton State Invitational, Oct 7 in Stephenville.

"The hay is in the barn, meaning that our crew can't be more prepared for this weeks meet than they already are," said Ponder.

The Lions men are currently ranked 10th in the D2Coaches.com South Central Regional Rankings and fifth in LSC rankings. Leading for the Lions this week will be LSC Cross-Country Male Runner of the Week, Ryan Dirickson who won his 10th career meet in Stephenville, almost two weeks ago. The men also swept the top five placing in the Tarlerton meet, take home a perfect score.

The women have been gearing up for the competition, along with the men. The women placed third overall in Stephenville, with Nikki Williams leading the pack with a third place finish overall.

"I am very excited to see what the women will do this week, I know they will do very well," Ponder said.

-- end -