Tampa Set to Host UT Early Bird Classic

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa cross country program is set to host the annual UT Early Bird Classic, which will feature a total of 25 teams that will compete in the men's and women's races. The race is scheduled for Friday at Brandon Trails.

The event will begin at 6 p.m., with the men's four mile race followed by the women's 5K at 6:40 p.m.

In addition to Tampa, participating teams include Flagler, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Lynn, Palm Beach Atlantic, Pasco-Hernando Community College, Rollins, Saint Leo, Savannah College of Art & Design, South Florida, Southeastern, Valdosta State and Warner.

UT's women, which have won the race three of the past years, finished 16th at the NCAA Championships in 2011 after winning the Sunshine State Conference and NCAA South Regional titles. The Spartan men are coming off an NCAA South Regional appearance where it placed second overall to advance to the program's seceond-ever NCAA Nationals.

Directions to the Sydney Dover Trail Park are as follows:
Take I-75 to Brandon exit. Go east on Highway 60 where the park is located on the left side of the street. The entrance is just past Sydney Washer Road.