GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- Midwestern State opens the campaign Saturday morning with the Orville Rogers/DBU Cross Country Opener at Lynn Creek Park. The 5K event begins at 8:15 a.m.

The Mustangs, who were picked seventh in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, are bolstered by four returners, a transfer, and nine freshmen harriers.

"We've got seven that work together pretty consistently, so I feel like our order is going to be different every week," MSU coach Kelsey Bruce. "The girls have really embraced the miles. I am pleased the mileage we're all at."

Seniors Elizabeth Butzke and Alexandra Feller were tabbed LSC Runners to Watch and are joined by sophomores Arianna Carballeira and Nathalia Escontrias.

Butzke has recorded team countable performances in 15 of her 16 career meets and was MSU's frontrunner at the Lone Star Conference Championships and the NCAA Division II South Central Regionals.
 
Feller came on strong to deliver team countable finishes in each of her last four meets last season. The veteran has competed in 19 meets during her career with the Maroon & Gold.

Midwestern State welcomed transfer Sydney MacDonald from Mount Olive (N.C.). The Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina native garnered third-team All-Conference Carolinas honors last season and placed 83rd at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.
 
The MSU roster also features a strong group of nine freshmen including Jadyn Dangerfield Moore (Mesquite HS), Perla Flores (Arlington Sam Houston HS), Isabel Hernandez (Lakeview Centennial HS), Hallie Kogler (Lake Creek HS), Cori Morgan (Waxahachie HS), Lula Nolen (West Texas HS), Ella Pando (Weatherford HS), Rosalene Reyes Perez (McKinney Boyd HS), Valentina Sailer (Erding, Germany), Mariana Sanchez (Buena Vista HS), and Allyson Talbot (Timber Creek HS).