Cross Country Releases 2009 Schedule
June 10, 2009 | Men's Cross Country
June 10, 2009
Complete 2009 Cross Country Schedule in PDF Format 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville head coach Brice Allen has announced the 2009 men's and women's cross country schedule. The slate consists of five meets, two of which will be hosted by U of L and the Greater Louisville Sports Commission, including NCAA Southeast Regional Championships.
"I am very pleased with the way our schedule turned out for the upcoming season," said U of L head coach Brice Allen. "We have given ourselves the chance to run on two championship courses prior to the big stage and will also compete at home in two premiere meets."
The Cards will begin the season with a five-day conditioning and training camp that runs Aug. 17-21 at Lincoln State Park in Lincoln City, Ind.
"The camp to open the season will allow us to get back into the swing of things and really start to focus in on the season," said Allen.
Following a week off, U of L will see their first competition of the year with back-to-back road trips. The first stop will be at the Evansville Meet in Evansville, Ind. on Sept. 5 and then on to the Midwest Open in Kenosha, Wisc. on Sept. 19.
The Cardinals will then play host to annual Greater Louisville Classic on Oct. 3 at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park. It marks the first meet of the season that points toward the NCAA Championships can be accumulated at.
Louisville will take to the road again as they travel to Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 17 for Pre-Nationals. After a week off, the Cards then head back to Kenosha, Wisc. on Oct. 31 for the BIG EAST Conference Championships. This will give the Cardinals an opportunity to preview two of the courses which will be used for championship races later on in the season.
U of L will return home to host the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships for the third time in four years on Nov. 14 at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park. The City of Louisville has proven to be one of the premiere destinations for this event which will feature some of the best runners and teams in the nation.
The season will conclude on Nov. 23 at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.
For the Cardinal men, they will be looking for their third trip in four years to the NCAA Championships after not making the field last year. U of L finished eighth at the BIG EAST Championships a year ago, following winning their first team title in 2007. The Cards did not graduate anyone from last year's squad and will welcome back Matt Bruce, Gordon Dooley, Matt Hughes, Luke Lovelace, Scott McClain, Matt Smith and Chase Violet. The return of Michael Eaton and 2007 All-American Cory Thorne, who both red-shirted last season, will make Louisville legitimate contenders in the conference and on the national scene in 2009.
"We are very excited and optimistic about our chances with the men's team," said Allen. "I think it is important for us to come out early and establish some rhythm as a group and build on that as the season progresses."
On the women's side, the Cards will return a veteran group of runners that includes six seniors, a junior and a sophomore led by All-Region performers Tarah McKay and Emily Borsare. McKay, a three-time All-BIG EAST and All-Region performer, finished fifth at the Southeast Regional a year ago and went on to earn the program's individual highest finish ever at the NCAA Championships by placing 72nd out of 252 competitors. Meanwhile, Borsare picked up her second consecutive All-Region nod after taking 24th. Joining the duo will be Kat Alcorn, Kortni Dukes, Kim Grieshaber, Kathryn Long, Kelsey Page and Lorna Whaley. U of L has shown steady improvement in the BIG EAST race since joining the conference in 2005 and will be in search of their first NCAA Championship appearance. The sixth-place finish at the Southeast Regionals last year was the highest ever in program history.
"Anytime you return two All-Region performers, it gives you a lot to look forward to," said Allen. "This is a veteran squad that is battle tested and ready to take on the rigors of a challenging season."
As the season draws near, the Cardinals indeed have plenty to look ahead to in 2009.
For the most up-to-date information on Louisville Cross Country, visit www.uoflsports.com.
Players Mentioned
