Aug. 30, 2006

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech cross country team will travel to Clovis, New Mexico, to take part in the Mike Boit Invitational on Friday, September 1. Sixteen Red Raiders will travel and compete in the race that will run at the Ned Houk Park.

Second-year head coach Jon Murray brings in a total of 12 newcomers, six men and six women. Five of the men and four of the women competing for Tech in New Mexico are newcomers to the squad.

The women's race is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. CT. Michlene Daniels, Michelle Edman, Tori Epperson, Gladys Kipsang and Stephanie Lowe will compete for the women.

The men will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. CT. Competing for Tech will be Eric Ayala, Joseph Campo, Noel Conrad, Aaron Greer, Cory Higgins, Jeremy Kight, John Means, Edwin Sang, Wade Smith, Jake Szot and Jake Vernon.

Eastern New Mexico University will host the event that is named after alumnus, Mike Boit, a 1972 Olympic 800M bronze medalist. This year's event will also honor the late Eric Lathrop, who is the former head cross country coach at West Texas A&M.

The 2005 men's team finished ninth in the conference, while the women finished in the middle of the pack at sixth. The Red Raiders return Kevin Chelimo, Violet Chemakwila and Irene Kimaiyo, who each competed in the NCAA Championships last fall.

For complete results on the Red Raider cross country team, please visit www.texastech.com throughout the season.