Oct. 14, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. The 2009 Auburn cross country squads continue their 2009 campaign by traveling to the NCAA Pre-Nationals hosted by Indiana State University on Oct. 17.The meet will serve as a warm-up prior to the Nov. 23 NCAA Championships that will be held on the same course. Weather for Saturday calls from a high of 54 degrees, meaning cold weather for an Auburn squad that trains primarily under the warm Alabama sun.
A total 72 men's teams and 75 women's teams are entered in the race, including No. 1 and defending National Champion Oregon to go along with many of the top squads in the country. Defending men's individual National Champion Galen Rupp will be on display as he looks for an individual title as well as improving on his course record of 29:03.2 that he set last season.
On the men's side, seven of the top-15 teams in the USTFCCCA south region poll will compete, including Alabama, Florida State, South Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech, In the women's races, eight of the top-10 teams will be in the race, setting the stage for one of the top regular season races in the nation.