WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem cross country team will be competing for the second time in as many weekends on Friday, Sept. 13, when it heads to Central, S.C., to take part in the Warrior XC Invitational hosted by Southern Wesleyan.

The 11th annual 5k race, which is set to take place on the Southern Wesleyan campus, will begin at 6:00 p.m. The course is a mixture of hills, grass paths and a wooded trail. Salem is one of six teams pre-registered to compete, including Bob Jones, Erskine, Southern Wesleyan, Queens (NC) and Warren Wilson.

Salem began its season on Saturday, Sept. 7, in the Fleet Feet XC Invitational, hosted by Catawba. The Spirits, which finished with a combined time of 2:35.45 at the 5k event, were led individually by Jessica Bailey, who crossed the line 20th in a time of 22:32.1. She was just over three minutes off the pace established by individual winner Franziska Althaus (Wingate), who finished in a time of 18:41.2.

RoyseAnn Day enjoyed the second-best time (30:28.5) for the Spirits, finishing 70th. She was followed closely by Mariana Rubio (33:25.5), who closed in 76th, as well as Sydney Bowen (34:31.9; 79th), who came through with a time of 34:31.9.

Isabella Verdicchio, who completed the course in 34:47.0, finished off the first race of her collegiate career in 80th.

For more information on Salem cross country check out www.salemspirits.com.