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Cross country races to San Diego

For the past two years, the University of Arizona's men's and women's cross country teams have swept the competition away at the Aztec Invitational in San Diego, Calif. They hope this trend continues tomorrow at the Aztec Invitational in Balboa Park.

The Wildcats will compete against San Diego State, UCLA, UC-Irvine, Southern Utah and other West Coast schools. The women's 5,000 meter race will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the men's 8,000 meter race follows at 9:30 a.m.

"I think the team is making good progress," UA head coach Dave Murray said. "Everybody's been running really well."

Leading the pack on the men's side will be senior Micheil Jones. Jones won the first cross country meet of his career at last week's UC-Irvine Invitational.

Also running are seniors Jeremy Lyon and Brent Pederson, juniors Dave Lopez and Rick Weis, sophomores Steve Smith, Mike Cramer and Tom Prindiville and freshman Wade Juntunen.

"The men's team should have no trouble winning," Murray said. "In the past, they have always swept the race."

The UA women are led by sophomore Tara Chaplin. Chaplin won the first cross country meet of her career last week.

"We've had a really good week of practice," sophomore Erin Doherty said. "I think we're going to do really well."

Seniors Kristen Parrish and Maia Wright, juniors Katrin Engelen and Addie Myrick, sophomores Erin Doherty and Jennifer Burris, and redshirt freshmen Mandee Ash and Kim Bates round out the women's team.

"There will be a little more competition in the women's race," Murray said. "UCLA has some very good women runners."

Murray said the outcome of the meet will help determine the seven runners on both the men's and women's teams who will make up the traveling squad for the rest of the season.