Nashville, Tenn. --The regionally ranked Belmont Bruin cross country teams look to build off of strong openers Saturday, September 15, in the Vanderbilt University Commodore Classic. The Bruins return to Percy Warner Park, after the men captured the Belmont Opener title August 31 and the women finished tied for third.

The fourth ranked men of the South Region will compete in an 8000 meter run at 9 a.m. against three other regionally ranked teams – Missouri, Georgia Tech, and host Vanderbilt. Coach Jeff Langdon expects stiff competition – especially from Big Twelve power Missouri, who is ranked sixth in the Midwest Region.

“Missouri is a top 30-40 type of program nationally...which we feel like we are also.”

The ninth ranked women of the South Region will match wits in a 5000 meter run at 10 a.m. with fifth ranked Vanderbilt and sixth ranked Georgia Tech. If the Bruins are move up a few notches, they will have to avenge a loss to the Commodores in the Belmont Opener. Belmont finished tied for third, 17 points behind second place Vanderbilt.

Other squads competing in the 15-team men’s run are Bethel College, Blue Mountain College, Covenant College, Lambuth University, Lipscomb University, Rhodes College, Sewanee, Tennessee State University, Union University, University of Central Florida, and University of West Florida.

Other schools competing in the 17-team women’s run are Bethel College, Blue Mountain College, Clemson University, Covenant College, Crichton College, Lambuth University, Lipscomb University, Rhodes College, Sewanee, Tennessee State University, Union University, University of Central Florida, and the University of Missouri.