CLEVELAND - With 19 days before the start of the 2010 Delta State University Cross Country season, every day provides an opportunity for improvement and training.  That's exactly what head coach Doug Pinkerton and the Lady Statesmen have made their mantra heading into the first race of the year at Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday, Sept. 18. 

"The ladies reported August 10 and have been improving every day," Pinkerton stated.  "This past Saturday, the team went to the Mississippi river to complete some distance running and the session couldn't have gone any better." 

The Lady Statesmen were originally scheduled to kickoff the season on Saturday, Sept. 11 with the annual DSU XC Invitational, but unexpected withdrawals by several teams put the competition field too low to hold the event. 

"We will still hold a high school boy's and girl's race on Sept. 11," added Pinkerton.  "The girls will begin at 9:20 a.m. and the boys will start at 10:00 a.m."

The hole in the schedule will be filled by the annual Memphis Twilight Race, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 25. 

A complete video preview and season outlook will be available the week of the UAH race.