TOWSON, Md. - The Tigers' cross country season gets underway Friday afternoon as they attempt to defend their team title in the 30^th running of the Baltimore Metro Meet on Towson's home course at Oregon Ridge Park.

The men's race starts at 4:00 p.m. with the women to follow approximately 45 minutes later. Towson does not field a men's team. Joining the Tigers in the meet are Coppin State, Morgan State, Johns Hopkins, McDaniel, Hood, Goucher and Stevenson.

For the first time in several years, Towson coach Roger Erricker isn't sure what to expect from his squad that lacks experience. Of the 11 runners, eight are freshmen and sophomores.

"We've been spoiled the last couple of years with experience and proven talent," Erricker said, "but when you lose four of your top seven I think we're going to have wait to see how well we perform. Right now it's a big unknown."

Towson's pre-season camp (a week in the mountains) revealed somewhat of a pecking order with sophomores Kara Bucaro and Elizabeth Tauber out front.

Tauber was the only freshman last year to score points for the Tigers in every meet. In her collegiate debut, she finished second in last year's Baltimore Metro, just eight seconds behind winner Katie Ogden of Towson. Bucaro placed among Towson's top five in five of the eight meets in 2011.

Senior Hannah McKenzie is expected to have her best year and be a top finisher for Towson in every meet. Junior Emma Tobin is also being counted upon for points.

Among the newcomers freshman Ali Coning and senior walk-on Nicole Schaefer have looked impressive. Coning is the Cape Henlopen (Del.) High School 5K record holder (19:25). Schaefer, the younger sister of former Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer, is in her first year of competition.

The Tigers will be hard pressed to hold off Johns Hopkins in the race for the 2012 women's team championship. The Blue Jays (30) were nipped by the Tigers (29) who picked up their 10^th Baltimore Metro title with the victory last year.