Nation's best gather at Notre Dame

FAYETTEVILLE – After a week away from competition, the University of Arkansas women’s cross country team returns to action Friday with the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. After the open collegiate race, the team race is scheduled for a 3:15 p.m. (CT) start on the Notre Dame Golf Course.

"This is one that has an asterisk next to it as far as the schedule goes," head coach Lance Harter said. "We’re going right into the heat and we will definitely be tested by fire. We’re seeing the best of the best and that will give us a good measuring tool for where we’re at and what we have to do to make ourselves competitive at the national championship."

In addition to the Razorbacks, 12 of the top 30 teams in the nation are scheduled to compete in the 5,000-meter race. Villanova, Florida State and Washington, the top-three teams in the country, headline the strong field of teams. Oregon and Princeton, No. 5 and 8, respectively, are also slated to compete.

Arkansas will run a lineup featuring senior Miranda Walker, juniors Cali George, Kristen Gillespie, Samantha Learch and Jillian Rosen and freshmen Stephanie Brown, Ashley Isham, Paige Johnston and Natanya Luther. The Razorbacks will also have two runners, freshmen Rachel Carpino and Grace Heymsfield, in the Open race.

In their last outing, the Razorbacks captured the team title at the 30th annual UC Riverside Invitational in Riverside, Calif., with a score of 30 team points. All seven of Arkansas’ runners finished in the top 25, paced by Walker and Gillespie who crossed in second and third overall, respectively. Walker and Brown, the Razorbacks’ third finisher in the race at Riverside, were honored by the Southeastern Conference for their performances.

In the current USTFCCCA release, Arkansas moved up to the No. 2 spot in the South Central Region poll. The Razorbacks are also receiving votes in the national rankings. For complete results of the Notre Dame Invitational and continued coverage, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Download: Notes 3_Notre Dame Invite.pdf