CLEVELAND - With five of the top races in the southeast packed into the regular season, including the annual DSU XC Invitational, Delta State University head cross country coach Doug Pinkerton announced the 2010 Lady Statesmen schedule on Thursday.

"We're excited about the upcoming season and our schedule is one of the best we've had in quite a while," Pinkerton stated.  "We get the chance to compete at home in the annual DSU XC Invitational and our travel schedule offers us the opportunity to improve week-in and week-out."

The Lady Statesmen will open the 2010 campaign at home on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the annual Delta State University XC Invitational.  The 5K event will feature college and high school talent from across the state and region.  DSU claimed the team title last year and will be looking to defend its crown. 

On Sept. 18, Coach Pinkerton and the Lady Statesmen will get a chance to preview the NCAA South Regional course at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Pre-Regional Meet.  The 6K race will be held at Huntsville's Sharon Johnston Park. 

A staple on the schedule for years, DSU will head north to Memphis and Shelby Farms on Oct. 2, as the Lady Statesmen compete in the Rhodes College Invitational (5K). 

Delta State will travel to the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Ark., on Oct. 16 for the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival - a 6K race that features some of the top programs in NCAA Division I, II and III. 

The Lady Statesmen will close out the regular season at Berry College in Rome, Ga., on Oct. 23 at the Southeast Cross Country Classic (5K).

Postseason action begins on Nov. 6 in Hoover, Ala. at Veteran's Park, as the Gulf South Conference Championships will get underway. 

NCAA postseason play continues on No. 20 at the South Regional in Huntsville, Ala., with the NCAA Division II National Championships planned for Dec. 4 in Louisville, Ky. 

The Lady Statesmen return a bevy of talented runners from last year's squad, including Amanda Corneilison, Ashley Carrillo, Elizabeth Fike and Hend Alboshaba.