Warrensburg, Mo. (Sept. 5, 2000) -- Central Missouri State University's cross country teams will open the 2000 season on their home course Friday, hosting their own CMSU Mule Run. The women's two-mile race is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., followed by the men's four-mile race at 7 p.m. at Keth Memorial Golf Course at CMSU's Pertle Springs.

The field will include men's and women's teams from Emporia State University, Graceland College, the University of Missouri-Rolla, Northwest Missouri State University, Ottawa University and Rockhurst University. The men's field also will include Wentworth Junior College (Mo.).

Coach Kirk Pedersen's men's squad is favored to win its sixth straight Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title this season. The Mules are led by last year's individual conference champion, senior Vladimir Golias, and junior Paul Bennett, who placed 10th at last year's NCAA Division II Championships.

The Jennies won their first MIAA title last season and return all of their top runners, led by junior Rachel Harvey. Harvey was fourth in the league meet and placed 35th at the Division II Championships.

Friday's meet is the first of two the Mules and Jennies will run on the Pertle Springs course this season. The other meet will be the MIAA Championships on Oct. 21.