Cross Country Prepares for C-USA Championships on Saturday
10/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 29, 2009
HOUSTON -
The University of Houston cross country teams make league history on Saturday when they host the Conference USA Championships for the first time. The Cougars are one of 12 C-USA programs to compete in the one-day event at Bear Branch Sportsfields in The Woodlands, Texas.
The championships begin at 9 a.m. (CDT) for the men's 8K race followed by the women's 5K race at 10 a.m. Team and individual awards will be distributed after the completion of the last race. Admission is free.
East Carolina, Houston, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Tulane, Tulsa, UCF and UTEP each have men's and women's teams. SMU, Southern Miss and UAB have women's teams only.
For the latest news and results on C-USA Championships, log on to www.ConferenceUSA.com - the official site for C-USA members.
REGIONAL RANKINGS
The Cougars are ranked among the South Central Region's top 10 as voted by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The women's team remains at No. 9 for the fourth straight week. The Cougars debuted at No. 10 and climbed their way to ninth after the second week.
The men's squad steadily remains at No. 10 after premiering in the 14th spot. The Cougars peaked at No. 9 in week two after they won the LSU Tiger XC Festival, totaling 29 points.
2008 C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP
Last year, the Houston women's team placed in the top five with 145 points. Stephanie Aldea led the Cougars, finishing in ninth place with a time of 17:38. The Windsor, Ontario, native received Houston's first Conference USA Freshman of the Year honor. Aldea also received All-Conference honors as well as Starla Garcia who finished 21st with a time of 18:19.
The men took sixth in the 8K with a total of 156 points. Anthony Jordan led the Cougar pack in the 28th spot with a time of 26:51.
CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION
Directions
From Bush Intercontinental Airport to The Woodlands Resort
Take I-45 North or Hardy Toll Road North to Woodlands Parkway (Exit 76B). Follow Woodlands Parkway to Grogan's Mill Road. Watch for The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center signs. Stay in right lane exiting at Grogan's Mill Drive. At traffic light, turn LEFT and continue to North Millbend Drive, and make a RIGHT. The entrance to the resort is immediately following on the LEFT.
From Points North
Take I-45 South to Robinson Road/Woodlands Parkway (exit 76), which will bring you to The Woodlands. Turn RIGHT onto Woodlands Parkway. Watch for The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center signs. Stay in right lane exiting at Grogan's Mill Road. At traffic light, turn LEFT and continue to North Millbend Drive, and make a RIGHT. The entrance to the resort is immediately following on the LEFT.
From Bush Intercontinental Airport to Bear Branch Sportsfields
Take I-45 North or Hardy Toll Road North to Research Forest Drive (exit 77). At traffic light, turn LEFT onto Research Forest Drive. Continue down to Bear Springs Pl. (approx 3.2 miles). Fields are on your LEFT and there is a traffic light at intersection.
From The Woodlands Resort to Bear Branch Sportsfields
Exit resort and make a RIGHT onto North Millbend Drive. Go LEFT onto Grogan's Mill Road. Follow Grogan's Mill to Research Forest Drive (approx 2.1 miles). Take a LEFT onto Research Forest Drive and drive to Bear Springs Pl (approx 2.3 miles). Fields are on your LEFT and there will be a traffic light.
From Bear Branch Sportsfields to Bush Intercontinental Airport
Research Forest Drive to I-45 South to Hardy Toll Road or Beltway 8. Follow signs to Intercontinental Airport.
Parking
Parking Lot A will be reserved for team vans, coaches/staff cars and officials. Parking Lots B and C will be available for spectators.
Merchandise
Merchandise will be available for sale starting at 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the course. A table will be set up at the course for athletes and spectators to purchase. Championship programs also will be available for purchase.
Players Mentioned
