October 29, 1998
COLUMBIA, MO. - The Missouri Cross Country team will compete in the biggest meet of the year at the Big 12 Championships this Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.
The 17th ranked Tiger men come in riding very high as they have won 3 of the five meets in which they have competed.
"This is what we build our training around," Coach Jeff Pigg said, "we want to be in our very best condition coming into the Big 12 Championships."
Missouri's top four runners have been steadily improving and could be the best Missouri has seen in several years. Nick Smith, Adam MacDowell, Ryan Pirtle, and Joel McCune are coming off a sweep of the top four spots two weeks ago at the South Florida Invitaional.
"Our top four guys have been doing a tremendous job all year and we are expecting big things out of them this weekend," Pigg said.
Junior Mike Larson may be the biggest surprise of the season. Larson has placed in the Tigers' top five at every race this year. Owen Donahue and Matt Stauffer have been training very well and are in great shape to challenge for that fifth spot this weekend.
4th ranked Colorado and 9th ranked Oklahoma State are heavy favorites in the men's field, but at the Big 12 meet anything can happen.
"The Big 12 Championships have a different aura than any other meet all year. Every team is competitive so you can never discount anyone," Pigg said.
The Tiger women are in position to surprise some of the heavily favored teams. With four ranked teams on the women's side, the Tigers may be overlooked by some of the other schools.
"This is one of the big meets that we focus on all year," Pigg said, "so we are going to go in and run our very best and we will see what happens."
Freshman Ann Marie Brooks has led the Tigers in every meet this year. Katie Meyer (So.), who finished 15th at the Big 12 Championships, last year will join Brooks as Missouri's leaders.
"Ann Marie is in tremendous shape and has been running well all year and will see some excellent runners at this meet," Pigg said.
Race information is available in the sidebar at right. Coach Pigg and all athletes will be available for interview Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Walton Track and Field Complex.For further information, please contact Stephen Garvey of the Missouri Sports Information office:
Next: Big XII Championships Location: Lincoln, Neb. Date: Saturday, October 31 Start Time (W/M): 11 a.m./12 a.m. Distance (W/M): 5K/8K
Press Box The Nebraska Sports Information staff will have results on the Info Connection fax-on-demand system immediately following the race . Media outlets wishing to receive results before then may access Info Connection at the number below. Access Number: 1 800 300 2050 Passcode: 1212 Request Numbers: 1827
Results can be obtained through the conference website at www.big12sports.com.
Coach Jeff Pigg will contact individuals wishing to speak with him following the race on Saturday. Individuals wishing to speak with him should fax their phone number and time that they can be reached to Missouri SID Stephen Garvey at (573) 882-4720.