The Southwestern cross country and track and field program recently opened an online team store as a fundraiser for the program.

Fans can purchase a variety of Southwestern cross country/track & field gear in the online team store that is open until July 29. A portion of the sale of each item comes directly back to the Spartan cross country and track and field programs to help provide student-athletes in the program with the best possible experience during their time at Southwestern.

Items purchased in the online team store will ship directly to the buyer's home after the conclusion of the sales period.

The Southwestern cross country team starts its season Saturday, Aug. 22, with the Region XI Time Trials at Iowa Western Community College. The track and field team will start its season in January.

"Our cross country team members have been working hard over the summer to build their base mileage. We are excited to finally get them on campus in a couple of weeks to start practicing as a team," Southwestern Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Scott Vicker said. "As the only NJCAA-sanctioned sport representing Southwestern in competition this upcoming fall, we hope to represent Southwestern and the Creston community well in competition. We have a lot of student-athletes on the team from the surrounding area, so we will have some familiar names on our roster this fall. Our student-athletes appreciate all of the support we'll receive over the course of the season."