Tampa Set to Welcome 39 Teams For NCAA Cross Country Regional

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa is prepared to host the 2011 NCAA South Regional Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Dover Trails in Dover, Fla. A total of 22 schools will be competing in the event as 18 men's teams and 21 women's teams will participate.

The women's 6K race will begin at 8 a.m., with the men's 10K to begin at approximately 9 a.m. An awards ceremony will follow the completion of competition at approximately 10:15 a.m.

The top two men's teams and the top two women's teams will earn berths in the 2011 NCAA Cross Country National Championships. Additionally the top two individuals from non-qualifying teams and all individuals from the top five overall will advance. The national event is scheduled for Saturday, November 19 in Spokane, Wash.

Tampa's women's squad is aiming for its fifth consecutive NCAA South Region Championship title while the men will also be one of the competing teams.

The Spartans are coming off a pair of first-place finishes at the 2011 Sunshine State Conference Championships, marking the first time in program history that both squads won the SSC. Head coach Jarrett Slaven became the SSC men's and women's coach of the year as senior runner Jess Butler was honored as the SSC Female Runner of the Year.

Dover Trails is a spectator-friendly course located on Highway 60 approximately seven miles to the east of Brandon, Fla. After exiting Interstate 75, head east on Highway 60 for approximately seven miles. Once you pass the Dover Road Light at the bottom of the hill, the park entrance will be on the left.

Click here for the official web site of the NCAA South Regional