Sept. 30, 2005

Chicago, Ill.- The University of Illinois at Chicago men's and women's cross country teams hit the halfway point of the season this Saturday, running close to home at the 33rd Annual Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational at Montrose Avenue Beach this Saturday.

Hosted by Horizon League rival Loyola, the event kicks off with the women's 5,000-meter Gold Division Collegiate race at 12:15 p.m. The men's Gold Division Collegiate 8,000-meter showdown follows at 12:45 p.m.

Along with UIC and Loyola, Marquette, DePaul, Marshall, Southeast Missouri State, and Eastern Michigan will also take part in the day's festivities.

So far this season junior Lisa Petty is proving to be a pivotal performer for the UIC women, leading the Flames in the two previous races of the campaign.

Sophomore Joseph Mbari, who is fresh off a stellar showing at the Central Collegiate Championships two weeks ago with a career-best 25:32 for a sixth-place finish in the men's 8,000-meter event, will look to lead the charge at this Saturday's men race. Senior Mikhail Davidyan, UIC's consistent leader the past two seasons and their best finisher at the UIC Home Opener, will also be in the mix near the top of the standings.