Key's to 2015: Gators will run in four regular season meets, including three home meets. Will make their 2015 debut on September 17 against Academy of Art at Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow. Gators will return for the 30th Annual Roy Griak Invitational hosted by Minnesota. Will host the SF State Invitational on October 9. CCAA Championships will be hosted by the Gators on October 25 at the Speedway Meadow.

SAN FRANCISCO – The 2015 SF State men's cross country season rapidly approaches, and with it, increased expectations under 10^th year head coach Tom Lyons.  The Gators will return their entire core from last year's squad that placed third in the CCAA Championships.  This year, the Gators have an exciting schedule that will feature three home meets, concluding with SF State hosting the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships at the end of October.

"We are really excited for this upcoming season," said Lyons.  "We return everyone from our third place CCAA team (that was the second best CCAA finish in school history.) We enjoyed a very successful track season with our top-eight runners all under 15.25 for the 5K, and Drew Feldman is becoming one of the best ever at SF State."

The Gators begin their 2015 campaign hosting Academy of Art on September 17 at the Speedway Meadow at Golden Gate Park.  Saint Mary's and Santa Clara will also be there to participate in the head-to-head meet. 

"We're opening with our dual meet against Academy of Art like we did last year. We started this type of meet to create an old-fashioned head-to-head team competition as opposed to the very large invitational type races. It's a great way to begin the season. Saint Mary's and Santa Clara will join us so it'll be a solid challenge to start the season."

Last year, the Urban Knights finished second out of 11 teams at the Pac-West Championships and took 11^th out of 23 teams at the NCAA Division II West Regionals, three spots behind the Gators who placed eighth.

The following week, the Gators will head east to participate in the 30^th Annual Roy Griak Invitational hosted by Minnesota at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in St. Paul, Minn.  The Roy Griak is one of the largest meets in the country, playing host to six collegiate races from the different divisions.

"We are returning to the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota once again," added Lyons.  "We love this meet as it prepares us for the post-season with a large competitive field on a tough course. We'll see many regionally ranked programs and get a good look at our team's fitness as the season gets underway."

The next two meets for the Gators will be home meets as SF State will host the SF State Invitational on October 19 and wrap up the regular season hosting the CCAA Championships in Golden Gate Park on October 25.

"Everyone likes racing in San Francisco and we enjoy hosting cross country meets in Golden Gate Park (and track meets on campus). We are excited to host CCAA's this fall after putting on the CCAA Track Championships this spring. We've got a traditional type cross country course in the park with a mix of grass and dirt over rolling terrain. It's set up for spectators which creates a great atmosphere for the runners," said Lyons.

On November 7 the Gators will travel north to Monmouth, Ore., to compete in the NCAA Division II West Regionals at the Ash Creek Preserve, hosted by Western Oregon.  The top-four teams from the regionals will advance to the NCAA Championships November 21 in Joplin, MO, at the Missouri Southern Cross Country Course.

For up to the minute updates on the men's cross country team and all 12 of SF State's athletic team's be sure to follow the Gators on twitter @SFStateGators. 

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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.

Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments.  For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.