DENTON – The 2016 cross country team raised $4,111 during the summer months enabling them to train four days in the Arkansas mountains Aug. 17-21.

During the four-day training, the team will be able to run on tougher hills with cooler temperatures conducive to better preparation for the cross country competition that will begin with the Baylor Twilight Invitational Sept. 1 in Waco.

“This training trip will mean so much to the student-athletes on our men's and women's cross country teams,” cross country coach Stefanie Slekis said. “Not only do they value the quality training the team will get done in Arkansas they also value the time they'll get to spend with each other. A huge part of our success has been from the strong team culture we have had and this trip will help strengthen those bonds with our returners and build them with our newcomers.”

The team will be staying at the Rocky Shoals resort that overlooks the Ouachita River near Mount Ida, Arkansas. In just three short months, cross country was able to raise its target goal of $4,000 thanks to great donor support from North Texas cross country supporters.

“I can't say thank you enough times to those who donated to make this trip possible,” added Slekis. “They have a made a huge impact on these student-athletes' experience at North Texas and it is not just an experience that lasts the five days of our trip. It is an impact that will last through the season, the year, and even after they have competed their final season for the Mean Green. These donors have also impacted our team's ability to prepare to win a championship so not only have they made every cross country student-athlete's experience better at North Texas they have also given our team a competitive edge that will impact our 2016 season and beyond.”

The men’s cross country team is hoping to build off a third-place finish at the Conference USA championships in 2015 and a seventh-place finish at the NCAA South Central regional. The women’s team came in seventh place at the C-USA championships and 13th at the NCAA South Central regionals last season.

“Having a strong winning team culture founded in a great work ethic will be established on this trip and that is what it takes to hoist a Conference USA Championship trophy on Oct. 29th,” said Slekis.