GOLDEN SUNS OPEN SEASON RANKED FOURTH IN PRESEASON
NCAA DIVISION II SOUTH REGIONAL POLL

        RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Women’s Cross Country enters the 2008 season ranked fourth in the Preseason NCAA Division II South Regional rankings that are compiled by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Tech, who closed out last season ranked ninth in the final USTFCCA South Region poll, opens its 2008 season at home on Friday when they host the Second-Annual Tech Twilight Meet. The meet will be held on the grounds around Tucker Coliseum and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

“That is a good way for our squad to start off the season, to be ranked highly in the region,” Golden Suns Head Coach Tom Aspel said. “It just shows you the kind of season we had last year and the quality of returners we have coming back.”

The USTFCCCA NCAA Division II region poll will be released every week during the regular season beginning on Sept. 9. The poll ranks the Top 10 men’s and women’s cross country teams in each of the eight NCAA regions. Eight regional representatives coordinate the voting in their own region with input from the coaches.

Tech, who finished tied for seventh and was the third highest finishing Gulf South Conference team at last season’s NCAA South Regional Meet, returns four runners from last season’s team, including sophomore Lauren Karnitz (DeSoto, Kan.), who was named a Second-Team All-GSC selection in 2007.

Tampa, who is the defending South Regional champion, opens the season ranked first in the preseason poll. Harding, the defending GSC Champion, opens the season ranked and Alabama-Huntsville is ranked third in the preseason poll.

Following Tech in the poll is Albany State at No. 5, Florida Southern at No. 6 and West Florida opens ranked seventh. Nova Southeastern is ranked eighth, while West Georgia and North Alabama round out the preseason poll at Nos. 9 and 10 respectively.

          USTFCCCA Web Site 

           -- Tech Athletics --