Oct. 22, 2007

The Florida Atlantic University cross country team will travel to Bowling Green, KY to take part in the Sun Belt Championships this weekend. The Owls did not compete over the weekend, choosing to focus their efforts on this weekend's meet.

"Traditionally, we have always taken the weekend before a big meet off, and it has served us well in the past," said head cross country coach Alex Smolka.

The FAU women finished third at last year's meet behind the strength of two top-10 individual finishers, including an 8th place showing by Friederike Feil, who has consistently been the Owls' top performer this season.

The men finished 11th at their first Sun Belt meet. They were led by sophomore Stephen Dassin who placed 45th in the men's 8K.

"This year's women's squad is very different from the team we had last year. We have only one of last year's top five back. On the men's side, we have a young, hungry team and we will be looking to improve on last year's finish," said Smolka.

The Sun Belt Cross Country Championships, hosted by Western Kentucky University will be held on Saturday. The men's five mile will start at 10:00 a.m., followed by the women's 5K at 11:00 a.m.