CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University men and women's cross country teams travel this weekend to the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic, hosted by Christian Brothers University, Saturday. The women's race is scheduled to begin at 8:40 p.m., followed by the men's at 9:20 p.m. at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

Nearly 600 runners from 38 schools will compete, including such schools as host Christian Brothers, Alabama-Birmingham, Memphis and Middle Tennessee, as well as Ohio Valley Conference foes Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Martin.

“With so many runners in this meet, it will be important to get out quick and maintain position,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “In a meet like this a 10-second differential can add or subtract 10-15 points in no time.”

On the women's side, the discussion of Lady Govs cross country always begins with senior Bertha Castillo, but several other runners are beginning to come into their own.

“The women had a great week of practice,” said Molnar. “Bertha is always a threat to win any race, while (freshman) Janelle Avery and (senior) Melissa Nobbs are really coming on.”

For the men, OVC Male Runner of the Week Tim Hall leads the Govs, looking to put last week's race behind them.

“This will be a chance for the men to redeem themselves from last week,” said Molnar. “I told them they are a senior-dominated team and need to show that kind of focus. We'll try and get our top three (Hall, junior Ryne Sexton and freshman Andre Braima) into the top-20 and our next group in the top-50. That will be tough; we will be without (senior) Lukas Siska and (freshman) Jordan Payne this weekend due to illness.”

- AP -