Sept. 6, 2012

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's and women's cross country teams continue their busy start to the season Saturday with trip to just down the road to Kenosha, Wis. for the 33rd annual Midwest Open.

Both teams are coming off a strong showing at last weekend's UIC Quad. Despite not using their full roster on either side, the men's team picked up lopsided wins over conference-foe Green Bay and Chicago State, while the women also won mightily over CSU, taking the top seven spots in the pairing.

This weekend's action kicks off with the men's 8K-race at 10 a.m. with the women's 5K set to start at 11.

SCOUTING THE MEET
Milwaukee has historically had quite a bit of success at the Midwest Open. Last year, then-junior Jake Reilly won the race with a time of 25:55.8 to lead the Panthers, who placed four runners in the top-15.

On the women's side, UWM had three finish in the top-11 and took second only behind host UW-Parkside. Sophomore Annette Lemanski crossed the line 11th overall in just her second collegiate meet and looks to be a key contributor once again this season.

FRESH FACES
Milwaukee kicked off the 2012 season last weekend at the UIC Quad with quite a few Panthers making their debut in the Black & Gold.

UWM only had two upperclassmen compete in the season opener, with seven Panthers starting their collegiate careers.

In addition, sophomore Sammy Woller ran for the first time for Milwaukee after transferring and was the Panther's top female finisher, while Anthony Buensuceso also donned a Milwaukee uniform for the first time after transferring last year.

GETTING THE LAY OF THE LAND
While Milwaukee does not technically have a true home course, it does host the Horizon League Championships this year at the same course it will race at this weekend.

UWM historically has run well on the UW-Parkside home course, and this will serve as a chance to scout the terrain again before the conference championships.

The Panthers last hosted the league meet in 2004, also at Parkside, when they finished third overall on both sides.

UP NEXT
UWM has its third meet in as many weeks next Saturday when the teams travel to Mequon, Wis. for the annual Falcon Invitational hosted by Concordia University. The women's race will lead off at 11 a.m. with the men's competition slated for a noon start.