Florida Cross Country Opens Season; Gator Soccer Hits the Road

The Florida cross country teams begin their 2014-15 season when they compete in the Western Carolina Invitational in Cullowhee, North Carolina at 6:30pm. The women will compete in a two-mile race and the men will run a 5K.

In the preseason SEC Coaches Poll, the men are predicted to finish second in the conference and the women were picked to finish fourth in the SEC. Florida assistant track and cross country coach Paul Spangler sees a lot of potential on the women’s side. Spangler also believes the men’s group has a chance to be something special this season.

The Gators will have opened their season at the Western Carolina Invite for the fourth-straight season. Every year, the Gators have competed in the invitational, both the men and women brought home the the title.

Meanwhile, the Florida soccer team hits the road this weekend for the start of a six-match road trip. Florida head coach Becky Burleigh says playing away will be a great experience for her team to get comfortable playing outside of their comfort zone.

The Gators (2-0, 0-0 SEC) open things up this weekend against Oklahoma (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) on Friday and stay in the Sooner State to take on Oklahoma State (0-2, 0-1 Big 12) on Sunday. Coach Burleigh says playing the Sooners and Cowboys will be a new experience for her squad because they have never made the trip to Oklahoma before.

Last season when the Gators and Sooners met in Gainesville, the match was delayed due to inclement weather. However, after the weather delay the Gators brought home the 3-0 win in the first ever meeting between Florida and Oklahoma.

Florida takes on Oklahoma Friday at 8pm and then takes on Oklahoma State Sunday at 2pm.