Lang XC Course 6k Map
Lang XC Course 8k Map

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University cross country team will return to a familiar course this weekend to participate in the Colgate Invitational on Saturday. The Orange has traveled to Hamilton, N.Y. to run in the Colgate Invite or the Harry Lang Invitational, also hosted by Colgate, in each of the last four years. The men will compete in an 8k and 6k race at the same time, while the women will run the 6k course at Harry H. Lang Cross Country Course. The men's race will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the women's race at 12:15 p.m. Two other schools will join Syracuse and host Colgate for the race, including Cornell and Ottawa. 

Last Year at the Colgate Invite
At the 2009 Colgate Invitational, junior Griff Graves (25:06) and senior Rebekah MacKay (21:43) each earned a first place finish to lead the Syracuse teams to the top overall spots at the meet. Both performances are still Lang Cross County Course records. SU's cross country program has continued to improve since this time last year and the Orange have their eye on returning to Syracuse as back-to-back champions. Similar to last weekend's BIG EAST Preview, this meet will give many of Syracuse's young runners a chance to gain experience at the collegiate level and excel on a different course. For the veterans, the Colgate Invitational will provide a chance to restore their racing mentality and prepare for key races ahead.

Last Weekend in Review
The Orange started the 2010 season on the right foot as both teams captured a first-place finish at the BIG EAST Preview. That meet marked the first time Syracuse performed in front on a home crowd since the 2004 season. Junior Steve Weeks (18:22.7) and sophomore Sarah Pagano (18:48.4) were SU's top finishers and took second place in their respective races. Head coach Chris Fox was pleased with the Orange's performance as both teams finished with four runners in the top 10 spots.

Orange in the Polls
The men and women's teams are holding strong in the number one spot in the first regular season U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Northeast Regional poll. Both teams also remain in the top 10 in the national USTFCCCA poll with the men ranked ninth and the women tenth.

Looking Forward
Syracuse will host the 2010 BIG EAST Championship on October 30 at Jamesville Beach Park. The Orange men are ultimately focused on repeating as BIG EAST Champions, while the women look to improve on last year's program-best third-place finish.