CLEVELAND, Miss. - Building off of an exciting finish to the 2018 campaign, Delta State University head cross country coach Doug Pinkerton officially released the 2019 schedule on Tuesday, July 9. The Lady Statesmen will compete in four regular-season races before entering postseason action. 

"Excited about entering my 15^th season here at DSU and seeing how the team performs this Fall!  Looking for a lot of leadership from junior Sydney Roberts who was injured most of the season last year.  She is ready to run healthy and help lead this team.  Sophomores Abby Thomas and Jamie Claire Musselwhite learned a lot last year during their freshmen campaign and I am ready to see how they improve this year. We will have several new comers this fall!  There will be three freshmen who I hope will make an immediate impact this fall.  They are Pearl High School standout twins Clare Pinter and Hannah Pinter, and Savannah Hudgins from Tupelo High School.  We also have two transfers to run with us.  From Blue Mountain College, is transfer Cayce Smith and also Cassidy Fitch from Northwest Community College. This is a great group of student athletes that work very hard in the classroom and give it their all at practice!  I know they are working hard over this summer to come in ready to perform this fall and represent DSU wearing the Green & White." Pinkerton stated. 

The Lady Statesmen will begin the season on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the University of Montevallo Falcons Classic. The 5K race will feature teams from around the region. 

Following the UM Classic, the Lady Statesmen will travel to New Orleans, La., for the All-State Sugar Bowl Festival 5K, hosted by Loyola University (La.), on Saturday, Sept. 14. This race will feature teams all divisions of the NCAA and professional runners from around the world.

DSU rounds out September at the University of Alabama in Huntsville Open on Saturday, Sept. 28. 
 
The Lady Statesmen continue their road swing in Clinton, Miss., as DSU competes in the Mississippi College Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 12. This 5K race will help prepare the Lady Statesmen for postseason action, as several of the South/Southeast region's top DII teams will be there to run in the event. 

The annual Gulf South Conference Championship (5K) will kick off the postseason run for the Lady Statesmen on Saturday, Oct. 26. The GSC Championship will be hosted by the University of Montevallo.  

Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., will once again host the NCAA South/Southeast Regional (6K) on Saturday, Nov. 9.
 

"Going to a few new races this fall and looking forward to some fresh venues and hopefully some fast times.  As always, keeping them as healthy as possible will be our main goal, while we push them to reach their full potential.  I am eager for the team to report August 12^th and help them prepare for the GSC Championship!" Pinkerton concluded.