LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The University of Kentucky cross country teams open the 2005 campaign when they host the Woodford Trials at Woodford Park in Versailles on Friday. The women start the first of two races with a two-mile run at 5 p.m., followed by a 5,000 meter trek for the men at 5:30 p.m. The meet will include Eastern Kentucky, Marshall, Louisville and the Cats.
?We are excited to get out there and see where both teams stand,? head coach Don Weber said. ?The meet gives us a chance to test our recent training and get an idea how conditioned and competitive our newcomers are. It is a great starting point for the season.?
Returning this season for the women will be two-time All-SEC and 2004 NCAA Championships participant, senior Allison Grace. Last year, Grace recorded two top-20 finishes, a seventh place result at the SEC Championships and a first place finish at last season?s Woodford Trials (11:45, 2-mile).
Backing Grace expects to be juniors Emily King and Georganne Way and sophomores Liliane Sparkes, Andrea Brown and Lavera Morris. All five runners return with experience, having competed in at least two meets last season.
The men?s team returns six runners who competed last season. Senior Chris Millsor and sophomore Andre Silva are expected to pace the squad. Millsor, a three-year veteran, placed 16th at last season?s Woodford Trials. Silva showcased an impressive freshman campaign, finishing first for UK at Woodford (9th) and the Stanford Invitational (28th). Returnees Andrew Thomspon, Stephan Smith, Nick Reeves and Jonathan Thomas are expected to contribute as well.
Earlier this week, the Southeastern Conference released the 2005 cross country preseason coaches poll. The Wildcat women were picked for seventh, while the men checked in at eighth. Winners of the last 14 conference titles, Arkansas earned top billing on the men?s side, while reigning champs Tennessee ranked first for the women.
Woodford County Park (directions from Lexington) 1. Versailles Rd. straight to downtown Versailles 2. In downtown Versailles turn LEFT on Main Street and then travel 2 blocks 3. Turn RIGHT on Rose Hill Ave. (travel shortly before a fork) go LEFT on Tyrone Pike 62 4. Woodford County Park is on the RIGHT past Sylvania Plant (look for softball field and train out front) 5. Enter park up the driveway. Once you?ve reached the parking lot on the left, drive diagonally through the parking lot towards the black barn. At the black barn follow the gravel road to the tennis courts where the race will start and finish.
