LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV cross country team opens up its 2012 season this Saturday night in Sparks, Nev., at the Nature's Bakery Nevada Twilight Classic hosted by Nevada, Reno. This will be the second consecutive year that the Rebels have begun its outdoor season at Shadow Mountain Park in Northern Nevada. The Rebels, who will run at 9:10 pm, will be joined on the start line by BYU, Utah and UNR.

UNLV will send eight harriers to Sparks for the event with Lauren Petersen leading the Rebel contingent. Petersen's sixth-place finish at last year's Twilight Classic was one of four top-six finishes for the senior out of Galt, Calif.

Running alongside Petersen will be: Laura Affeld, Courtney Allen, Amanda Berg, Katie Cochran, Auzsane Crowe-Carter, Corey Honeycutt and Alison Motor.

The meet is scheduled to begin at 6:10 pm with races designated for boys and girls in eighth grade and below opening up the festivities.