KENNESAW,Ga.- Trying to capitalize on last week’s success in Chattanooga, the men’s cross country team heads to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to face off against several elite programs in the Crimson Classic September  18. Fresh off a second place finish in the UTC PowerAde Invitational, the Owls face a crucial juncture in their season.

The 8k meet hosted by University of Alabama features 19 teams from all over the South. Three of the teams are currently ranked in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association South region rankings including Kennesaw State. Host school Alabama sits at number one, Auburn at seven, Kennesaw State is 10 and closing out the list is Ole Miss at 15.

Out of the 357 total participants, 183 are running in the men’s race. Overall this is the largest Crimson Classic field in the history of the event. Facing off against some of the top schools in the region, head coach Stan Sims knows the importance of performing well this weekend and how it affects the rest of the season.

“This meet is our big test of the season,” Sims said. “We are expecting some of the top teams in the region there which will help our guys see where they stack up. We just want to see where our guys land with some of the top competition out there.”

Running in their first race this season for the Owls will be Atlantic Sun All-Conference runners Nabil Hamid and Jaakko Nieminen. During the Crimson Classic last season, Nieminen and Hamid were the one and two finishers for the Owls respectively, leading the squad to a sixth place overall finish. Piotr Witczak and Ryan Burruss also get another shot at the course this weekend after finishing in 41st and 57th in 2009.

Returning to the course that saw the Owls first NCAA South regional contest last year, Hamid, Nieminen, Burruss and Witczak will have familiarity on their side as they competed at the running park twice in 2009. Having that knowledge of what to expect come Saturday morning, Burruss knows that will provide many of the his teammates with a solid advantage.

“I think the team will compete really well this weekend because we know the course,” Burruss said. “It is also great because we get to see the other regional teams and individually gauge how we are doing since most of us have seen this course before.”



Meet Quick Facts


Event Name: Crimson Classic        

Host: University of Alabama

Location: Harry Pritchett running park

Start Time: 8:45 A.M.

Distance: 8k

2009 Owl Finish, Score: 6th, 164 points

2009 Owl Top Finishers: Jaakko Nieminen, 23rd (26:05); Nabil Hamid, 25th (26:07); Piotr Witczak, 41st (26:47); Michael Johnson, 50th (27:00)

Schools Participating (19): Alabama (D-I, SEC), Alabama State (D-I,SWAC), Alcorn State (D-I,SWAC), Arkansas-P.B. (D-I,SWAC), Auburn (D-I, SEC), Chattahoochee Tech, Columbus State(     ), Huntingdon (), Kennesaw State (D-I, A-Sun), MS. Valley State (D-I,SWAC), Nicholls State (D-I, Southland), Ole Miss (D-I,SEC), Samford (D-I, Southern), Stillman(D-II, SIAC), Texas A&M(D-I, Big 12), Troy (D-I,Sunbelt), Tulane (D-I, Conference USA), W. Alabama (D-II, GSC), William Carey( NAIA,SSAC)