The Tucumcari Rattlers cross country team will begin its third season Friday at the Clovis Invite.

There are 29 Rattlers in cross country this year and 16 of them are newcomers to the program, according to Rattlers coach Garry Hittson.

 There are more new runners in the program this year than total runners that were in the program when it was revived three years ago, Hittson said.

“The fact that the program is growing each year is a great indication the program is going in the right direction,” Hittson said.

This year’s goal for the  Lady Rattler cross country members is to beat rival Pecos for the district title.

“We lost the district title last year by three points,” sophomore Lorri Harmon said. “To lose by that little of a margin hurts.”

The team has a solid core group with a lot of young talent and should continue to improve through the years, Hittson said.

2008 Rattler & Lady RattlerCross Country Schedule
Aug. 29 2:30 p.m.     Clovis Invite      Ned Houk Park     
Sept. 31 9 a.m.       Jemez Invite    Jemez             
Sept. 20 9 a.m.     Pecos Invite        Pecos             
Sept. 27 9 a.m.      Robertson Invite    Las Vegas   
Oct. 4   9 a.m.      East Mountain Invite    Sandia Crest
Oct. 11 9 a.m.       NMMI Invite        Roswell     
Oct. 18  9 a.m.      Rio Rancho Invite    Rio Rancho           
Oct. 25 9 a.m.      Santa Rosa Invite    Santa Rosa             
Nov. 1           District        Santa Rosa    TBA
Nov. 8          State        Rio Rancho    TBA