CLEVELAND - Coach Doug Pinkerton and the Lady Statesmen Cross Country program will face a challenging schedule this upcoming season, as Delta State released its 2009 schedule on Monday.  In all, the Lady Statesmen will compete in five regular season races before postseason competition begins with the Gulf South Conference Championships.

"We tried to build a schedule that would build our ladies up as we march toward the postseason," stated Pinkerton.  "We open with the Brooks' Twilight Invitational in Memphis before coming home to host our annual DSU X-Country Invitational.  Both races will be good measuring sticks for us to set our goals as the season continues."

The Lady Statesmen also announced the additions of four new runners with plans on signing at least one more student-athlete before the start of fall camp in August.  Joining the Lady Statesmen this season will be Dixie Griffin (Senior - Houston), Hend Alboshaba (Junior - Greenville), Elizabeth Fike (Freshman - Raymond), and Ashley Carrillo (Freshman - Raymond).

Delta State returns seniors Kristin Williams (Quincy, Illi.), Brittany Eikner (Grenada), junior Amanda Corneilison (Madison), and sophomore Rachel Gavin (Batesville, Ark.).  

"We're excited about the future of this program and the direction we're headed in right now," added Pinkerton.  "Getting an all-conference caliber runner back in Kristin Williams, and a solid nucleus of talent back, just helps our newcomers that much more come the fall."