Sept. 1, 2005

The West Texas A&M University men's and women's cross country teams open the season by hosting the Buffalo Stampede, this Friday, Sept. 2 at the WTAMU Horse Center, located just south of Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The women's 5K race will start at 5 p.m., with the gun for the men's four-mile race sounding at 5:30 p.m.

Four teams join WTAMU in the women's field, Eastern New Mexico University, Angelo State University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. All the same teams except Southwestern Oklahoma join WTAMU in the men's field.

While sophomore standout Gisel Bailon will miss the race due to an injury, women's head coach Kimberly Dudley is optimistic that the women's team will start the season with success, paced by junior transfer Ruby Crox.

On the men's side, head coach Eric Lathrop will look toward Jose Velazquez to lead the Buffs.

Friday is the first of five regular season meets for the WTAMU harriers, in preparation for the Lone Star Conference Championships on Oct. 22, and hopefully qualify for the NCAA-II South Central Regional Championships on Nov. 5.

-WT-