Aug. 30, 2007

FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU men's and women's cross country teams will open the 2007 season at the Baylor Twilight Invite in Waco on Friday, Aug. 31. The meet is hosted by Baylor University and will take place at the Baylor Intramural Fields. The women's 4K race begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the men's 6K race at 7 p.m.

After a couple of weeks of training at 6 a.m., first-year head coach Shawn Winget and the runners will look to improve on the 2006 campaign. The Horned Frogs return 11 runners on the women's side, while the men's team returns three from last season.

Women's Team
Despite losing standout Calandra Stewart, the women's team returns a plethora of experience with 11 of 12 team members returning.

With an experienced and talented team, the Horned Frogs are primed for a breakout year in 2007 after finishing fifth overall at the Mountain West Conference Championships last fall.

Sophomore Carlene Mayfield and senior Halie Bullin return to lead the TCU women's squad this season.

Mayfield, a Keller native, is back after finishing second among TCU runners in every meet in 2006, including a fifth-place finish at the North Texas Invitational. Bullin will look to finish her career on a high note after competing in three meets last season.

Also back for the Lady Horned Frogs are Dani Selner, Cassie Hostick and Lisa Baity. All three will give Winget plenty of experience to count on.

Fort Worth Southwest standout Tanja Ivandic could also have an immediate impact this fall after completing a successful high school career.

Men's Team
Contrary to the women's team, the men's side is very young with just three returnees and five freshmen dotting the Horned Frog roster.

With the influx of inexperience, TCU will lean on the experience of seniors Matt Manly, Steven Solazzo and sophomore Festus Kigen to help carry the men's squad this fall. The development of a talented freshmen class along with the continued growth of the three upperclassmen will be important as the Horned Frogs progress throughout the season.

After posting successful junior campaigns, seniors Manly and Solazzo will be counted on for their consistent performances. Kigen comes back following a year in which he finished 13th at the Mountain West Conference Championships and represented TCU at the South Central Regional.