Nov. 21, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - The No. 9 Texas Tech women's cross country team has been through a season of firsts - first Big 12 Championship and first Mountain Regional Championship - and will try to continue that pattern as it goes after an NCAA Championship on Mon., Nov. 24th in Terre Haute, Ind.

The Lady Raiders have won its last three events going back to the Chile Pepper Festival and have done so in dominating fashion. The team is lead by seven-time NCAA Champions and defending NCAA Cross Country Champion Sally Kipyego. The senior has never lost a race in her cross country career, and with a win on Monday, has the opportunity to become the first female in NCAA history to win three-straight NCAA cross country titles.

Tech has fielded one of best teams in the country as it consists of four All-Big 12 and five All-Region runners. Junior Lillian Bardaru has been a key addition to this season's success. She finished second to Kipyego in the Chile Pepper, Big 12 Championships and Mountain Regional Championships.

Senior Asia Diaz earned All-Big 12 and All-Regional for the first time in her career. Junior Gladys Kipsang ran one of her best meets of the year, finishing eighth at the Mountain Regional, earning All-Region honors.

Sophomore Michelle Guzman earned All-Big 12 honors for finishing 14th. Chep Boit ran her best meet of the year at the Mountain Regional, finishing 25th, earning All-Region, while Addison LeMaster has improved every week.

The Lady Raiders will run at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., at 11:08 a.m. central time. The race will be televised live on CBS College Sports and can be seen live as well on www.ncaasports.com