After a successful 2004 campaign, the Mississippi State University men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete in a rigorous 2005 schedule, highlighted by trips to the Notre Dame Invitational and Pre-National Invitational meets.
The teams begin their seasons on Sept. 2 at the Belmont Opener, held at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tenn.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will also make trips to conference rivals Alabama and Auburn during the season.
“We have great talent and depth this year, especially with our new freshmen,” MSU senior Jennifer McPherson said. “We hope to start off the season successfully.”
The team gets a week off following the Belmont but returns to action at the Crimson Classic on Sept. 17 at the Harry Pritchard Golf Course in Tuscaloosa, Ala. State heads to South Bend, Ind., for the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 30.
After trips to Auburn on Oct. 8 for the Auburn Invitational and Terre Haute, Ind., for the Pre-National Invitational on Oct. 18, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs return to campus, closing out the regular season at the MSU Short Course Invitational on Oct. 21 at the MSU Cross Country Course.
The 2005 Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Oct. 29 in Baton Rouge, La., at Highland Road Park, while the NCAA South Regional is being hosted by the University of Florida in Gainesville.
The 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships are set for Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind. at the Wabash Valley Sports Center.
Men
The Bulldogs’ biggest highlight last season came at the MSU Short Course Invitational (6K), where the team placed second overall. State finished ninth at both the SEC Championships and NCAA South Regional.
Gedamu Ege took many of the individual accolades last season, leading State as the team’s top finisher on four occasions. Ege was named SEC Athlete of the Week in late October for his performance at the MSU Invitational. Ryan Irwin also won the 6K race as a sophomore.
Entering his third season as head coach of the Bulldogs is Steve Dudley, who took the men’s team to six top 10 finishes last season.
The men’s team declined to comment on the upcoming season.
Women
The Lady Bulldogs won two team titles last year, starting the 2004 season off with a victory at the Memphis Twilight Classic and then placing first at the MSU Short Course Invitational.
Zita Magloire won the 3K Short Course title in 10:26.18 and was subsequently named SEC Athlete of the Week.
The women’s team finished the season taking seventh place at the SEC Championship and 11th at the NCAA South Regional meet.
“Last year, the team was plagued with injuries and loss of team members,” McPherson said. “But so far, the women are running well in practice, and I think we will be highly competitive in the SEC this year.”
The team is coached by Al Schmidt, his 18th season at the helm.
Schmidt did not respond to multiple attempts at contacting him.