Oct. 25, 2001

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Missouri cross country men and women know they have a competitive race in the Big 12 Championships Saturday in Norman, Okla. They also know that history is on their side, and that is a good thing.

"We're excited about this weekend," assistant coach Rebecca Wilmes said. "Traditionally we've responded well and run well in this setting."

Last season, the men's and women's teams both placed third at the meet. Returning leaders are Ann Marie Brooks, who finished 11th last year for the women and Mike Pitts was 17th for the men.

"Both teams are really coming together as teams," head coach Jared Wilmes said. "There's a concensus that they're on the same page -- they're on a mission."

The meet should be a highly competitive one, as historically 10 of the 12 women's teams have finished fifth or higher in the five previous Big 12 races. The story is the same on the men's side, as there have been nine of the 12 men's squads to finish in the upper half of the five previous Big 12 races. The men's 8K race begins at 10 a.m. with the women's 6K following at 11 a.m.

"This is a very high powered conference with a lot of great teams," Jared Wilmes said. "Anytime you step into this arena, you know that you're up against some of the best runners in the country if not some of the best runners in the world, really. That's fun and exciting, but also a challenge."

Results will be available following the races at www.big12sports.com.

Satellite coordinates for the race are:

Uplink - Galaxy 6-C, Transponder 22

Receive vertical at 4140MHz

Trouble number - (817) 265-4465

Time - 6:00-6:15 p.m. CDT