Cross Country Begins 2008 Season at Western Carolina Open on Friday

ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? The UNC Asheville men's and women's cross country teams open up the 2008 season on Friday at the Western Carolina Open in Cullowhee, N.C.

The Bulldogs will compete against runners from Gardner-Webb, King College, Newberry, Warren Wilson, and Western Carolina.

Head coach Jesse Norman has put his team through extensive training during the first two weeks of the school year.

“I've been working them pretty hard,” said Norman. “We're testing our limits right now; that's pretty much what the first couple weeks are for.”

The Bulldogs' primary competition on Friday will come from Western Carolina and new Big South member Gardner-Webb.

“The main expectation I have is to see how close we can be to Western on both sides,” said Norman. “We also want to beat Gardner-Webb since they are in our conference this year.”

Norman expects senior Andrew Burnette to lead a young Bulldog side with five freshmen in the men's 5-kilometer race.

On the women's side, Norman will look for junior Katie Olert and freshman Emma Bussard to have strong finishes in the women's two-mile contest.

Friday's meet is a homecoming for Norman who had a great cross country career at Western Carolina from 1999 to 2003.

“I ran for Western, it was a great experience, I loved it and learned a lot there,” said Norman. “Now that I'm at Asheville, I just want to go back and beat my old school and old coach.”

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Cross Country Begins 2008 Season at Western Carolina Open on Friday

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