DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - The North Carolina Central University men's and women's cross country teams head north for the campus of Maryland Eastern Shore, in Princess Anne, Md., on Saturday, Oct. 29, as they become the first team at NCCU to compete for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.
 
The Eagles have not participated in a conference tournament since the 2006-2007 season when the Lady Eagles brought home the gold during the Division-II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference championship in the fall of 2006.
 
"We are excited for this weekend," said NCCU head cross country coach Michael Lawson. "We have been waiting for the chance to compete at a MEAC conference championship for a long time. We want to see where we stand as a Division-I program amongst the other well respected members of the conference."
 
The championships will begin with the women's 5k race at 9:45 a.m. followed by the men's 8-k race at 10:30 a.m.
 
Norfolk State men's team will be defending their three-time MEAC championship title, while Hampton will look to repeat a victorious 2010 season run on the women’s side.
 
The spot light will be on Lady Eagle freshmen Amber Brooks who proved she was a force to be reckon with during the Great American Cross Country Festival, on Oct. 1, when she competed in the HBCU women's cross country challenge, which five MEAC teams participated in, and took home a first place finish with a trail time of 19 minutes and 5 seconds. 
 
"We are excited to see how Amber (Brooks) performs this weekend," said Lawson. "She has had a phenomenal rookie season and helped our women's team be as strong as they were this year. Our women's team is definitely going to challenge the other MEAC schools this weekend, they are extremely motivated to do well."
 
This race will also mark the last trail run for Eagle senior Jamar Jones of Philadelphia, Pa., and Lady Eagle Dreanna Wallace of Orlando, Fla.
 
“Our seniors have had a great season,” said Lawson. “This season will be the first time they are able to compete in a conference tournament, we are all excited to give them that experience before they graduate. But, we will be taking notes this weekend and preparing for our future in the MEAC.”
 
Visit the official NCCU Athletics website www.NCCUEaglePride.com for up-to-date information on Eagle Cross Country.