The Illinois State mens and womens cross country teams are ready to open their 2002 season tomorrow in Macomb, Ill., at the Early Bird Cross Country Invitational hosted by Western Illinois.
The meet is slated to begin with a shotgun start for the womens race at 10 a.m. and will be held at Spring Lake State Park. The mens race will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.
This meet will give me an opportunity to see where our runners are at and how they compete, said first year head Redbird cross country coach Chris Bailey. Times are not a big concern in this first meet. I am more focused on making sure the runners get their legs used to racing again.
The mens team will face Missouri Valley foe Bradley and teams from Western Illinois and Monmouth College.
The womens division will include teams from Western Illinois, Bradley, Truman State and Monmouth College. Truman State and Monmouth College are Division II and III programs respectively.
Next weekend, Illinois State will play host to the ISU Cross Country Challenge on Saturday, September 14, at the ISU Trail at University Farm.
