The Lady Bisons will compete in the oldest cross-country race in the country in just a few weeks: The Annual Cowboy Jamboree. The race dates back to 1937, and this year’s race marks its 75th anniversary.

Harding will compete against more than 80 other teams for a spot at the top in the jamboree.

After finishing well at the UALR Invitational the women hope to be in good shape for the jamboree.

At the UALR invitational sophomore Ewa Zaborowska finished 2nd in the 5K, with a time of 18:24.4. Harding had two other runners in the top 25. Sophomore Rachel Roberts finished 13th in 19:52.8, and freshman Tammy Kim was 21st in 20:23.6. Despite losing three seniors last year, the team is going strong.

“We have a very young team,” said Roberts, captain of the women’s team. “I think we have the ability to accomplish what we did last year, we just will have to work harder.”

She said she believes if they keep improving at the rate they are, the possibilities are endless. The team works hard at every meet, but the one they work the hardest for is the National Conference.

“I’m really excited for conference,” sophomore Dallis Bailey said. “We work hard all season in hopes our best will show at this meet. We have a long way to go to be ready; we aren’t 100 percent yet but we’ll get there.”

Working together is key to having a tight-knit team. The women always train together even on their days off.

“We always train as a group,” Roberts said. “Even on days we’re on our own we still meet up to run together; it’s our time together. We’re best friends. We’re a family.”

The Cowboy Jamboree is Sept. 29 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla.