WINTER PARK, Fla. (August 30, 2012) - Only two weeks into the fall semester, the Rollins cross country teams will start their seasons Friday, Aug. 31 at the University of Tampa Early Bird Classic.

The event will take place at Sydney Dover Trail Park in Brandon, Fla. The men's four mile race is slated for 6 p.m. with the women's 5K to follow at 6:40.

Twin sisters Lauryn and Justine Falcone will once again look to lead the Rollins women this season. Lauryn is a two-time All-Sunshine State Conference honoree and last season finished 13^th at the NCAA Division II South Regional. Justine was 15^th at the event with a career-best 6K time of 23:32.

At the Early Bird last season, Lauryn finished 16^th in 19:37 and Justine 34^th in 20:34. As a team, the Tars finished 10^th of 14 participating teams.  

On the men's side, senior Joe Skydel and junior Blake Pierce led veteran leadership to the Tars. In the 2011 Early Bird, Skydel led Rollins with a 70^th place finish in a time of 23:28 while Pierce was right on his heels, taking 76^th in 25:13.

In addition to the Tars, participating teams include host Tampa, Flagler, Florida Southern, Florida Tech, Lynn, Palm Beach Atlantic, Pasco-Hernando Community College, Saint Leo, Savannah College of Art & Design, South Florida, Southeastern, Valdosta State and Warner.

Friday, August 31 is also National College Colors Day. Fans are encouraged to upload pictures of themselves wearing Rollins Blue & Gold on twitter @RollinsSports, Facebook (RollinSports.com) and using the hashtag #TARNation.