ATLANTA – Georgia State's cross country team opens the season Friday at 7 p.m. at the JSU Struts Invitational in Oxford, Ala. GSU will run against 18 schools including Auburn, Jacksonville State, Mercer, Samford, Troy, and UT Chattanooga.

"The team has its sights set on the Sun Belt Championship,” head coach Chris England said. “Tomorrow's competition at JSU will serve as a nice benchmark after the long summer and give our newcomers a chance to wear Blue and White for the first time.”

Georgia State will be sending seven returners and one newcomer to compete this weekend. Junior Nuria Ramirez recorded a top-25 finish at this event last year with a 4k time of 15:20.40.

“Competing against SBC-foe Troy and other regional schools such as Mercer and Chattanooga is always fun and having SEC-power Auburn on the starting line will give the race some excitement."

The meet begins at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. For any fans interested in cheering on the Panthers, take Exit 185 from I-20 and the first right is Recreation Drive. That leads straight to the Civic Center which is the headquarters of the meet.