Sept. 11, 2002

The University of Missouri men's and women's cross country team will kick off their season on Saturday by hosting the 10th Annual Missouri Cross Country Challenge on Saturday. Senior Amy Chipman and freshman Valerie Lauver who placed eighth at the 2001 Footlocker National Championships lead the women, who will take on the University of Iowa, Drake, Wichita State, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, and UMKC. Sophomore Josh Davis leads the men along with freshman Tim Ross, a first-team high school All-American. The men will face off against Wichita State, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, and UMKC. The women will be running 5000 meters and the men will run 8000 meters.

Missouri head coach Jared Wilmes is excited about the upcoming meet; "This meet is a good opener for us. It provides us with an opportunity to race and see where our young kids are. This meet also gives us a chance to prepare for the Big 12 Championships because it is our only home meet (Missouri hosts the Big 12 Championships). We are using this meet as a stepping stone meet. It's a good race against good competition." The collegiate varsity division, featuring the Mizzou cross country team, begins at 10:00 A.M. at AL. Gustin Golf Course.