Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Cross Country teams begin their 2010 season Saturday (Sept. 4) when the Pride host the fifth annual Hofstra Invitational at the Bethpage (NY) State Park Polo Field. The women's race begins at 10 a.m. with the men's race to follow at 11 a.m.

Hofstra will be joined in the Invitational by New Jersey Institute of Technology, the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Molloy College, Queens College, St. Joseph's College (NY), and Dominican College.

The Pride men return five runners from last year's team led by senior captain Phil Giackette (Ozone Park, NY). Giackette placed second in both of the opening meets of 2009, at the Hofstra Invitational and the NJIT Classic, and fourth at the St. John's Fall Festival. Senior Tom Daly (Mahopac, NY) also returns to the Pride roster after red-shirting last season. Junior Fred Shattell (Liverpool, NY) also returns after placing seventh in the each of the first two meets in 2009. The Pride added sophomore-transfer Daniel Rono (Eldoret, Kenya) from New York tech this season.

The Hofstra women have one of the biggest rosters in many years this season and return six runners from 2009. Leading the Pride returnees is junior Meghan McCloskey (Brewer, ME), Hofstra's top finisher in the CAA Championships last year. McCloskey also placed fourth and sixth, respectively, in the first two meets last year. Sophomore Brittany Potter (Quincy, MA) placed sixth and fourth in the first two meets in 2009 while sophomore Cara Mattson (East Meadow, NY) was 12th and seventh in the opening meets last year.

Saturday's Hofstra Invitational is the first of back-to-back home meets for the Pride. Hofstra will host the Walter "Brick" Stone Invitational, honoring the late Hofstra administrator and coach of the track and field and wrestling teams in the 1940s, '50s and '60s, on Saturday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m.

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