Sept. 28, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's cross country team competes in the 51st annual Notre Dame Invitational Friday in Notre Dame, Ind. The Tigers will run in the Blue Division race (5k), which begins at 3:15 p.m. (CT), and includes seven teams ranked in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) top-30.

The Tigers are coming off a second place finish at the Missouri Cross Country Challenge Sept. 9. Missouri finished second to Wichita State. Sophomore Ellen Ries (Ryan, Iowa) was Missouri's top finisher, finishing third overall. Senior Amanda Bales (Bettendorf, Iowa) and junior Maddie Schueler (Louisville, Ky.) did not run at the Cross Country Challenge.

Friday the Tigers will enter their full team for the first time this season, and Missouri Assistant Coach Rebecca Wilmes is excited to see how good the Tigers run against some of the country's top teams.

"We're looking forward to going up there, lining up against some great teams. It will be fun to get our first test."

The Field

The Division I women's field is divided into two sections, the Gold and Blue Division. The Tigers will run in the Blue Division race, which includes seven ranked teams. Third-ranked Michigan won the race last year. Other No. 7 Illinois, No. 12 North Carolina State, No. 16 Providence, No. 25 North Carolina, No. 27 Georgia and No. 29 Florida State. Fellow Big 12 member Texas A&M will also join the Tigers in the Blue Division race.

Up Next for the Tigers

The Tigers will split their men's and women's teams on Oct. 13. Some of the Tigers will compete in the Bradley Classic on Oct. 13, in Peoria, Ill., and some will compete in the Pre-NCAA Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind, on Oct. 14.