Women's cross starts Friday night

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas Razorback women's cross country will open the 2009 season with a 4K race against Missouri Southern. The gun will start at 6 p.m. Fri., Sept. 4 at Agri Park in Fayetteville.

Senior Megan Jackson and junior Jillian Rosen will lead the 2009 Razorbacks with a fit junior Miranda Walker at their sides. Rosen is a two-time all-region performer, an All-SEC honoree and the 2007 SEC Freshman of the Year. She was also named to the 2007 SEC All-Freshman team. Jackson earned the first all-region honor of her career, finishing 25th overall at the 2008 NCAA South Central Regional Championships.

The Razorbacks happily welcome back junior Walker for the 2009 season. Walker redshirted the 2008 season after suffering an injury at the first meet. Prior to her injury, she was an All-SEC and all-region honoree and competed at the SEC, NCAA Regional and NCAA Championships.

Arkansas returns five student-athletes from the 2008 roster that won the Razorbacks' 13th SEC Cross Country title and 15th NCAA Regional title including Jackson, Rosen, senior Ashley Williams and sophomores Cali George and Samantha Learch.

Head coach Lance Harter has brought in five freshmen for the 2009 season: Alyssa Allison, Stephanie Brown, Katelin Cherry, Paige Johnston and Keri Wood. Additionally, Kristen Gillespie has transferred to Arkansas from Oklahoma State.

The Razorbacks will open the schedule with a low-key home meet, travel to Joplin, Mo. for the MSSU Stampede Sept. 19, venture to Madison, Wis. for the Wisconsin Invitational Oct. 3 and then run the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville (Oct. 17).

The championship season begins with SECs in Oxford, Miss. Oct. 31, the NCAA South Central Regional Championships in Waco, Texas Nov. 14. It all culminates with the NCAA Championships Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind.

For more information about Arkansas Razorback women's cross country, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.