LIVINGSTON, Ala. –  The University of West Alabama cross country team returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, taking part in the Mississippi State University Invitational in Starkville, Miss.

The men’s 8K will kick start the day’s festivities at 8 a.m., followed by the women’s 5K event.

Both squads opened the season on a high note at the Southern Miss Invitational on Sept. 4.  The men’s team won the meet; while the women turned in a third place finish.  UWA’s junior tandem of Jonathan Sellers and Austin Enriquez claimed the top-two individual spots.  Sellers turned in a time of 21 minutes, 40.70 seconds to edge Enriquez, who clocked a time of 21:41.08.  On the women’s side, sophomore Carolyn Mancuso paced the Red and White with a mark of 19:05.33 to finish sixth in the USM event.  Sophomore Jessica Gonzales finished in the top 15 after a time of 20:15.57.

UWA enters the weekend ranked in the South Region, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association earlier this week.  The Tiger men enter the top-10 poll in the No. 6 position, while the UWA women hold the No. 7 spot in the region.  UWA is one of six Gulf South Conference teams ranked in both polls.

Following this weekend’s meet UWA will continue competition in the Magnolia state, as the Tigers will trek to Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, Sept. 26, to compete in the Pre-Southeastern Conference Meet, hosted by the University of Mississippi.  UM will be the host of the 2009 SEC Cross Country Championships later this year.