Charleston, S.C. The Citadel cross country teams kick off the 2007 season Friday night as they participate in the USC Invitational at Ft. Jackson in Columbia. Both the men and the women will compete in the 5,000 meter race with the men's race scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the women's race to follow at 7 p.m. The meet is free of charge and fans can enter through Gate 2 at Fort Jackson. A photo id is required to enter Fort Jackson.

The USC will host nine Division I schools including Clemson, Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, SC State, The Citadel, UNC Asheville, UNC Charlotte, USC Upstate and six Division 2 schools including Coker College, Francis Marion, UNC Pembrook, USC Aiken, USC Beaufort and Savannah College of Art and Design.

The men placed third in the 2006 USC Invitational while the women placed fifth. However, younger runners will have to step up for the men's team this year as the program's top three runners from 2006 Matt Holmes, Charles Kutz and Will Wilson all graduated. A young women's squad looks to be as competitive as ever with six of last year's top seven runners returning.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Cross Country, visit the official home of The Citadel Athletics at CitadelSports.com.