VERSAILLES ? Kentucky?s cross country team takes to the trails for the Woodford Cross Country Trials this Friday. The women start the first of two races with a two-mile run at 5 p.m. The men follow with the 5,000-meter run at 5:30 p.m. Teams competing in the competition include, Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, Kentucky and Louisville.

?We are anxious to see how the runners will perform,? coach Don Weber said. ?After the meet we will have a more accurate stance on who our contending runners will be for the top five or seven that will eventually represent UK.?

For the Wildcat freshmen this will be the first look at collegiate level competition. Thirteen freshmen compete in their inaugural race behind a group of strong returnees.

Returning for the women are Allison Grace, Beth Heimann, Leah Kerstetter and Candace Leep, who should all make a strong showing this season.

?We are pleased with where the women seem to be right now, they appear to be to be pretty solid,? according to coach Weber. ?Georganne Way has done a lot to enhance her career during the summer, as well as Allison Grace, Leah Kerstetter and Candace Leep. They all seem like they have trained well.?

For the men, sophomore John Richardson will to lead the pack of young Wildcats. Being an underclassman himself, this is a huge opportunity to start the season off right by continuing his leadership role on the trail. Also looking to venture into the top-five are juniors, Chris Millisor and Andrew Thompson, senior Kris Landers and sophomore William Sykes.

?John Richardson is well ahead of what he was last year as a freshman. He obviously made a significant commitment to his career.? Coach Weber stated, ?We are also pleased with the progress of Stephan Smith and Andre Silva, in time they will make a difference for the team.?

-UK-