The Emory University men's and women's cross country teams will make their 2012 season debut when they take part in the Sewanee-Berry Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 1).  The men's 8K competition begins at 10:00 a.m. while the women's 6k race is slated to start at 11:00 a.m.  The Invitational will be held at the Berry College Clara Bowl.

Along with Emory, some of the other teams scheduled to compete include Centre, Oglethorpe, Webber International, Mississippi State, Rhodes, Lee University, Clayton State, and co-hosts Berry College and University of the South.

The women's team heads into the weekend ranked No. 1 in the South/Southeast Region and 23^rd nationally among D-III programs.  Emory returns a number of key personnel from last year's squad that made the program's 20^th trip to the NCAA D-III Championships over the past 21 years including sophomores Stephanie Crane and Tamara Surtees, both of whom shared the team's Rookie of the Year Award in 2011.  Senior Calley Edwards along with juniors Sarah Klass and Emily Caesar are tested vets who will look to help lead the squad. 

The men's side holds down the No. 2 spot in the South/Southeast Region and will be aiming for a good start to the season which the Eagles hope will translate into a return to nationals after a two-year absence.  Senior Stephen Ellwood spearheads a relatively young team while junior Eddie Mulder returns for his second campaign with the program.