SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University cross country team will travel to Madison, Wis. this weekend to compete in the Wisconsin adidas Invitational on Saturday. The meet will mark the second consecutive season that the Orange made the trip to Wisconsin. The men will compete in an 8k race, while the women will run the 6k race, both taking place at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. The women's race will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the men's race at 11:45 a.m. The race will feature 25 other institutions, including two other BIG EAST schools in Providence and Marquette.

Last Year at the Wisconsin Invite
At the 2009 Wisconsin Invitational, junior Tito Medrano (23:56) and senior Katie Hursey (17:26) led the way for Syracuse earning first and second place overall finishes, respectively. The Wisconsin Invitational will provide the first true test for the SU harriers as seven nationally ranked opponents will appear in the men's race, while six top 30 women's programs will compete.

Orange in the Polls
The men and women's teams are holding strong in the number one spot in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Northeast Regional poll. In the national USTFCCCA poll, both the men and women are currently ranked 11th.

Last Time Out
The Orange had another impressive performance two weeks ago as both teams captured a first-place finish at the Colgate Invitational. The meet secured first-place finishes in back-to-back seasons for the Orange at Colgate. Senior Steve Murdock (25:27.00) crossed the finish line first in the men's 8k leading six of his fellow teammates that claimed the top six spots. The women secured five of the top ten spots in the 6k race, including Junior Lauren Penney (21:36.00) who finished second overall.

Looking Forward
Following Saturday's meet in Wisconsin, the Orange will travel to Charlottesville, Va. to compete in the Panorama Farms Invitational on October 15 at the University of Virginia. Members of SU's squad will also make the trip to Terre Haute, Ind. on October 16 to participate in Pre-Nationals.

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.