The 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) cross country season begins this weekend with nine of the MEAC men’s and women’s programs in action.  

Bethune-Cookman men’s and women’s teams will join Florida A&M’s programs to open their seasons at the Jacksonville Dolphin Tri-Meet on August 29. North Carolina A&T (Wake Forest Invite) and South Carolina State’s men’s and women’s programs (South Carolina Gamecock Invite) along with the Norfolk State women’s team (Virginia Wesleyan Invite) will begin their season during the league’s opening weekend.

Maryland Eastern Shore, the defending MEAC Cross Country champion for both the men’s and women’s program became the first institution since Coppin State in 1993 to win MEAC men’s and women’s cross country titles during the same year.  The Hawks return 11 members each from last year’s teams and will host three meets in 2008 including the MEAC Cross Country championship.

The Norfolk State men’s team, who captured seven consecutive titles prior to the 2007 season, will begin their season on September 6, at the Lou Onesty Invite, hosted by the University of Virginia. The Spartans welcome back four letterwinners from last year’s MEAC Cross Country championship runner-up team along with three newcomers for the 2008 season.

The 2008 MEAC Cross Country Championship tournament will be held Saturday, October 25 in Princess Anne, Maryland.

For a complete 2008 schedule and up-to-date information on MEAC Cross Country, log on to www.MEACsports.com.