DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke men's and women's cross country teams return to action this weekend, travelling to James Madison University on Saturday, Sept. 12 to compete in the JMU Open Cross Country Meet. The 8,000-meter men's race is slated for a 10 a.m. start at the New Market Battlefield, followed by the 5,000-meter women's race at 11 a.m.
Ten men's teams and 10 women's teams are expected to compete this weekend, featuring participants from George Mason, Georgia State, Eastern Mennonite, Georgetown, Longwood, Howard, Northeastern, Delaware and the JMU Running Club.
"The course at JMU will be a good simulation for some of our later season races, as it has rolling hills and thick grass footing," assistant coach Liz Wort said. "Things have been looking good at practice. I know they're excited to get out on the course to see some of their hard work pay off."
Two weeks ago, the Blue Devils defeated N.C. Central in the season-opening dual meet. The men claimed all five top spots with freshmen Mike Moverman, Jonathan Sanchez and Dominick Robinson taking first, second and third, respectively. On the women's side, four Duke runners, Sophia Zieman, Kristina Krasich, Amanda Truelove and Virginia Hine, placed in the top five for the team victory.
After running seven competitors for the men and six for the women against the Eagles, both teams will compete closer to full strength on Saturday.
"The major goal for the weekend is to gain experience competing on a challenging cross country course," head women's cross country coach Kevin Jermyn said. "It has been about four months since most of our team members last competed, so it is time to start acclimating to the challenges of racing again. We will be competing against 15 nationally competitive cross country teams at the Wisconsin XC Invitational on Oct. 3., and our plan is to use this weekend's meet as a key opportunity to get physically and mentally prepared for Wisconsin in three weeks."
The last time the Blue Devils ran at New Market Battlefield, both the men's and women's squads took first at the James Madison Invitational on Sept. 26, 2006.
-d-u-k-e-
