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Sept. 3, 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's and women's cross country teams will open their 2009 season with the Evansville Mid-America Opener at UE Cross Country Course in Evansville, Ind. for the second straight year. The men will start at 11 a.m. ET with the women to follow at 11:45 a.m. ET. The site will serve as a backdrop for the first of seven meets for the Cardinals, with UofL and the Greater Louisville Sports Commission hosting two of those events, including the Greater Louisville Classic and NCAA Southeast Regional Championship.

"We are excited about this opportunity, we are healthy and this should provide a great opener," said second year UofL head coach Brice Allen. "The course is going to be challenging and we look forward to it."

Allen and the Cards enter the 2009 season opener after participating in a five-day conditioning and training camp at Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City, Ind. Both teams are optimistic heading into the first week of the season. The Cardinal men return everyone from last year's squad and welcome back Michael Eaton and 2007 All-American Cory Thorne, who both red-shirted last year. They will be looking for their third trip in four years to the NCAA Championships. On the women's side, they return a group of veteran leaders that includes six seniors, a junior and a sophomore with All-Region runners Tarah McKay and Emily Borsare leading the way. The women hope to improve upon their school record sixth place finish at regionals last year.

If the Cardinals plan to compete on a national level, Allen knows they have to continue to work and he is confident they will do just that.

"I would like to see a tighter pack," said Allen. "In years past we have had a little gap in our 1-5 and I would like to see both squads tighten that pack up to a 30-40 second differential. That is something we will look to accomplish this weekend."

The Cards first two meets will be on the road. Following the trip to Evansville, UofL will travel to the Midwest Open in Kenosha, Wisc. on Sept. 19. After a week off, the Cards will host the Greater Louisville Classic on Oct. 3 at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park. Following the Classic, Louisville hits the road again when they visit Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 17 for Pre-Nationals. After another week off, the team will then travel back to Kenosha, Wisc. for the Big East Championships on Oct. 31. They return home to host the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on Nov. 14 at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park. The Cardinals conclude their season on Nov. 23 at the NCAA Championships back in Terre Haute, Ind.

For the most up-to-date information on Louisville Cross Country, visit www.uoflsports.com.