Cross Country Teams Set to Compete at NCAA Midwest Regionals

November 14, 1998

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri Cross Country team will compete in the most important meet of the year at the NCAA Midwest Regionals on Saturday in Wichita, Kan.

Both teams are coming off 3rd place finishes at the Big 12 Championships on Oct. 31, and are hoping to use this race as a spring board for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 23 in Lawrence, Kan.

At stake are automatic berths to the NCAA Championships for the top two teams from each of the nine regions. Thirteen at-large bids will be sent out to the remaining teams that do not qualify automatically.

A total of 30 individuals whose schools don't qualify as teams will also advance to compete.

The men, ranked 16th in the nation, are seeded second behind 9th ranked Oklahoma State.

"We have had a great year, nobody can take that away," Pigg said, "three teams are probably going to go to nationals from our region and there is no reason why that shouldn't be us."

At last year's Midwest Regionals, Nick Smith finished 17th overall as the Tigers finished 5th.

The 30th ranked women, who are seeded third behind Kansas State (15) and Minnesota (17), are coming off their best meet of the year as they suprised the conference by finishing third at the Big 12 championships on Oct. 31 in Lincoln, Neb.

"Finishing third at the Big XII's was a big confidence builder for them," Pigg said, "they now know that they are capable of qualifying for the national meet."

TIGER NOTES:

  • The men will be looking to avenge two losses this year to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys edged the Tigers at the Kansas Invitational on Sept. 12 and at the Big 12 Championships on Oct. 31.
  • Sophomores Katie Meyer and Justa Dahl finished 6th and 12th respectively at last year's Midwest Regional.

    Midwest Region Seedings 

     MEN: WOMEN:
 1. Oklahoma State 1. Kansas State 
 2. MISSOURI 2. Minnesota
 3. Minnesota 3. MISSOURI
 4. Iowa 4. Oklahoma St.
 5. Illinois State 5. Nebraska
 6. Loyola of Chicago 6. Iowa State
 7. Drake 7. Bradley
 8. Southern Illinois 8. Drake
 9. Kansas State 9. SEMO
10. Tulsa 10. Wichita State
    The Midwest Region has 31 teams for both men and women those schools include: Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Oral Roberts, SLU, SEMO, Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri St., Tulsa, Wichita State, Bradley, Chicago St., DePaul, Eastern Illinois, Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois St., Loyola St., Loyola-Chicago, Northeastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Creighton, Drake, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, UMKC, Nebraska, Northern Iowa.

    Missouri - Men Competing at the NCAA Midwest Regionals

    Owen Donahue Junior.........................................St. Louis, Mo.

    1998: Has competed in four races this year with...finished 7th overall at NAYA Invitational...placed 31st overall and sixth for the Tigers at Big XII Championships...22nd at 1997 Midwest Regional(All Region selection).

    Mike Larson Junior.......................................Bourbonnais,Ill.

    1998: Consistent performer finishing in Missouri's top five at every meet this year...5th overall at the Sam Bell Invitational 41st at 1997 Midwest Regional.

    Adam MacDowell Sophomore.....................................Manchester, Mo.

    1998: Big 12 Runner of the week for hte week of Sept 26... has finished in the points for Missouri at every meet this year... NAYA Invitational Champion...Finished first at South Florida Invitational.

    Joel McCune Sophomore...................................Springfield, Mo.

    1998: 16th at Big 12 Championships...finished 2nd at South Florida Invite...has finished in Missouri's top three at the last three meets.

    Ryan Pirtle Senior...........................................Desloge, Mo.

    1998: All Big 12 selection with 14th place finish at Championships...3rd at South Florida Invitational 31st at 1997 Midwest Regional.

    Nick Smith Sophomore......................................Rocheport, Mo.

    1998: All Big 12 selectioin with 15th place finisht at Championships...4th at South Florida Invitational...2nd at Sam Bell Invitational...Missouri's top four at every meet.

    Matt Stauffer Junior.......................................Kansas City, Mo.

    1998: Solid performer who adds a lot of experience to Missouri team... has competed in every race this year...was 43rd overall and seventh for Mizzou at Big 12 Championships.

    Missouri - Women Competing at the NCAA Midwest Regionals

    Ann Marie Brooks Freshman......................................St. Joseph, Mo.

    1998: 10th at Big 12 Championships, earing her All Big 12 honors...was second at NAYA Inv., her first collegiate race...finished first for Missouri at every regular season meet this year.

    Courtney Bell Sophomore.....................................Batesville,Ind.

    1998: Finished 12th at Sam Bell Inv. in her home state... begining to gain momentum after finishing 7th for the Tigers at Big 12 Championships.

    Justa Dahl Sophomore.........................................DeSoto, Mo.

    1998: Finished 39th overall, fourth for Missouri at Big 12 Championships...Battled illness and injury most of the regular season...25th overall at South Florida Inivtational...12th 1997 Midwest Regional(All Region selection).

    Sunny Gilbert Sophomore.....................................Ellisville, Mo.

    1998: Finished in Missouri's top five at every meet this year... placed 22nd at South Florida Inivitational...one of 4 sophomores competing for the Tigers at Midwest Regional.

    Katie Meyer Sophomore...................................Colinsville, Ill.

    1998: All Big 12 selection with 9th place finish at Championships...7th at Sam Bell Invitational...finished 3rd at NAYA Invitational...6th at 1997 Midwest Regional(All Region selection).

    Kim Moore Freshman.......................................Kirkwood, Ind.

    1998: All Big 12 selection with 8th place finish at Championships...exciting freshman who surprised conference with 8th place finish...has finished in Missouri's top three at 4 of 5 meets this year.

    Jessica Patton Junior..........................................Elyria, Ohio

    1998: Junior who adds experience to young team...has improved time at every meet this year...70th at 1997 Midwest Regional.

    Coach Pigg Quotables:

    (on training this past week)
    "The course that we are going to run on is very flat, so we tried to tailor our running for that. We did some work on the track to prepare for a fast, flat track."

    (on tornado this week)
    "Most of the kids live in that area, so we were all in shock on Tuesday morning. It has been an interesting week with that happening, no one was hurt. Courtney Bell did have to move out of her house, but everyone looks good and ready to go."

    (on women finishing 3rd at Big 12)
    "I think that they knew they were a good team before that meet. I have been telling them that, so when they finished well they knew that they were capable of being a team that qualifies for national. They have accomplished a lot already this year, they knew that Erin Windler was not going to be with them and they pushed on and have competed really well."

    "Ryan Pirtle ran first for us, which was a great boost for us and for him. Everyone knew how fit he was so to see get All Big-12 honors was just tremendous. Nick Smith is as steady as they come, so we are counting on Nick, Joel, and Pirtle to run up there for us."

    (on strategy for Midwest Regional)
    "We are just going to go out and try to run well and compete as a team. They have done a great job of running together and picking each other up all year long. It seems that when we really need it one person will dig deep and come up big for us.

    CALLING COACH PIGG - EAK PREVIEW FOR 1999

    Coach Jeff Pigg will contact individuals wishing to speak with him upon his arrival in Columbia. Individuals wishing to speak with him should fax their phone number and time that they can be reached to Missouri SID Stephen Garvey.

    MEN'S SUMMARIES

    Sept. 11 - NAYA Missouri Invitational
    Gustin Golf Course, Columbia - 8,000 meters - 5 teams 

    Team Results
 1. MISSOURI 22
 2. McKendree College 40
 3. Vanderbilt University 87
 4. Missouri Valley 93
    
Individual Summary
 1. Adam MacDowell 25:27:90
 3. Greg Speicher 25:51.67
 5. Andy Rose 26:26.23
 6. Steve Wade 26:30.97
 7. Owen Donahue 26:34.62 
 9. Jeff Strong 27:02.67
 13. Jared Pinkston 28:00.52
 21. Joe Hofeditz 28:36.13

    Sept. 12 - Kansas Invitational
    Lawrence, Kan. - 10,000 meters - 16 teams 

    Team Summary
 1. Arkansas 31
 2. Oklahoma State 48
 3. Abilene (Tex.) Christian 77
 4. MISSOURI 114
 5. Southern Illinois Univ. 164
    
Individual Summary
 17. Smith 26:11.39
 21. Ryan Pirtle 26:34.87
 22. Joel McCune 26:41.33
 26. Mike Larson 26:51.12
 28. Matt Stauffer 26:53.69

    Sept. 26 - Indiana Sam Bell Invitational
    Bloomington, Indiana - 8,000 meters - 9 teams 

    Team Results 
 1. MISSOURI 26
 2. Ohio University 78
 3. Cumberland College 79
 4. Indiana University 88
 5. McKendree 108
 6. University of Indianapolis 177
 7. University of Evansville 192
 8. SIU Edwardsville 213
 9. IUPUI 236
    
Individual Summary
 2. Nick Smith 26:01.40
 4. Adam MacDowell 26:21.10
 5. Mike Larson 26:21.30
 6. Ryan Pirtle 26:24.40
 9. Joel McCune 26:46.50
 12. Greg Speicher 27:10.90
 13. Matt Stauffer 27:15.70
 17. Steve Wade 27:24.70
 21. Joe Hofeditz 27:46.80
 25. Owen Donahue 28:12.20
 26. Ryan Fitzgerald 28:14.00
 27. Jeff Strong 28:17.70
 44. Andy Arose 29:29.00

    Oct. 10 - Pre-National Invitational
    Lawrence, Kan. - 8,000 meters - 32 teams 

    Team Results
 1. Stanford(1) 80
 2. Oregon(9) 103
 3. Colorado(3) 120
 4. Arizona(5) 186
 5. North Carolina State(4) 190
 6. Iona College(16) 221
 7. Georgetown(20) 321
 8. Central Michigan 322
 9. Montana(14) 333
10. MISSOURI(32) 360
    
Individual Summary
 41. Joel McCune 25:48.97
 53. Nick Smith 25:55.17
 73. Ryan Pirtle 26:05.65
 99. Adam MacDowell 26:21.16
105. Mike Larson 26:23.93
163. Steve Wade 27:02.92
177. Matt Stauffer 27:13.48
200. Owen Donahue 27:28.44
205. Ryan Fitzgerald 27:33.33

    Oct. 16 - South Florida Invitational
    Tampa, Fla. - 8,000 meters - 32 teams 

    Team Results
 1. MISSOURI(18) 21
 2. South Florida 48
 3. Loyola University 65
 4. Miami University 146
 5. North Florida 148
 6. Florida International 180
 7. Jacksonville University 183
 8. Florida Southern 207
 9. Lynchburg College 280
10. Webber College 306
    
Individual Summary
 1. Adam MacDowell 24:51.60
 2. Joel McCune 24:51.80
 3. Ryan Pirtle 24:53.80
 4. Nick Smith 24:54.10
11. Mike Larson 25:28.30
21. Matt Stauffer 26:01.40
25. Steve Wade 26:08.90

    Oct. 31, 1998 - Big Xii Championships

    Lincoln, Neb. - 8,000 meters - 12 teams 

    Team Results
 1. #4 Colorado 31
 2. #9 Oklahoma St. 46
 3. #17 MISSOURI 98
 4. Texas 110
 5. Kansas State 153
 6. Kansas 161
 7. Iowa State 169
 8. Nebraska 179
 9. Texas A&M 272
10. Oklahoma 312
11. Baylor 329
12. Texas Tech 335
    
Individual Summary
14. Ryan Pirtle 25:05.10
15. Nick Smith 25:06.10

    WOMEN'S SUMMARIES

    Sept. 11 - NAYA Missoouri Invitational
    Gustin Golf Course, Columbia - 5,000 meters - 6 teams 

    Team Results
 1. MISSOURI 27
 2. Vanderbilt University 63
 3. Southeast Missouri St. 84
 4. McKendree College 109
 5. Park College 111
    
Individual Summary
 2. Ann Marie Brooks 18:07.14
 3. Katie Meyer 18:19.29
 6. Kim Moore 18:34.11
 7. Sunny Gilbert 18:35.39
 9. Courtney Bell 18:44.27
12. Becky Froelker 19:20.01
15. Jessica Grider 19:30.50
22. Justa Dahl 19:58.91
23. Tobie Bittle 20:04.49
39. Jessica Patton 21:33.72
    Sept. 26 - Indiana Sam Bell Invitational
    Bloomington, Indiana - 5,000 meters - 9 teams 
    Team Results
 1. Ohio University 31
 2. MISSOURI 45
 3. Indiana University 86
 4. Bradley University 95
 5. University of Indianapolis 168
 6. SIU Edwardsville 177
 7. Cumberland College 191
 8. University of Evansville 196
 9. IUPUI 235
    
Individual Summary
 6. Anne Marie Brooks 18:51.50
 7. Katie Meyer 19:01.60
12. Sunny Gilbert 19:31.70
13. Courtney Bell 19:39.60
15. Becky Froelker 19:50.90
16. Kim Moore 19:57.80
17. Tobie Bittle 19:58.40
22. Justa Dahl 20:13.50
24. Jessica Grider 20:17.00
49. Jessica Patton 21:30.50

    Oct. 10 - Pre-National Invitational
    Lawrence, Kan. - 5,000 meters - 32 teams 

    Team Results
 1. Stanford(3) 65
 2. Arizona(10) 145
 3. Villanova 152
 4. North Carolina St.(11) 162
 5. Northern Arizona(13) 171
 6. Arizona State 244
 7. Oregon(15) 260
 8. Kansas State 270
 9. South Florida(21) 276
10. Colorado(9) 297
16. MISSOURI16) 388
 
Individual Summary
    
 46. Anne Marie Brooks 18:36.33
 48. Katie Meyer 18:37.59
 70. Kim Moore 18:58.60
 90. Sunny Gilbert 19:04.71
137. Justa Dahl 19:26.76
182. Courtney Bell 19:55.46
196. Jessica Grider 20:04.04
199. Tobie Bittle 20:06.33

    Oct. 16 - South Florida Invitational
    Tampa, Fla. - 5,000 meters - 22 teams 

    Team Results
 1. Tennesee 37
 South Florida 37
 3. MISSOURI 89
 4. Loyola University 103
 5. Rice University 109
 6. Miami University 177
 7. Florida 190
 8. Jacksonville 232
 9. Florida Southern 235
10. Florida International 266
    
Individual Summary
 7. Anne Marie Brooks 18:04.60
13. Kim Moore 18:17.50
22. Sunny Gilbert 18:40.70
25. Justa Dahl 18:47.90
27. Jessica Patton 18:52.20
37. Katie Meyer 19:06.60
45. Becky Froelker 19:21.30
52. Jessica Grider 19:35.80
58. Tobie Bittle 19:44.10

    Big XII Championships Lincoln, Neb. - 8,000 meters - 12 teams 

    Team Results
 1. #18 Kansas State 78
 2. #20 Colorado 99
 3. MISSOURI 106
 4. Texas 110
 5. #21 Baylor 113
 6. Oklahoma State 114
 7. Nebraska 138
 8. Iowa State 150
 9. Oklahoma 207
10. Texas

    1998 Schedule/Results

    Date Event Place Res. (W/M)
SEPT. 11 MISSOURI INVIT. COLUMBIA 1st/1st
Sept. 26 Indiana Invitational Bloomington, Ind. 2nd/1st
 Oct. 10 Pre-National Invitational Lawrence, Kan. 16th/10th
 Oct. 16 South Florida Invitational Tampa, Fla.. 3rd/1st
 Oct. 31 Big 12 Championships Lincoln, Neb. 3rd/3rd
 Nov. 14 NCAA Midwest Regional Wichita, Kan. 5K/10K
 Nov. 23 NCAA Championships Lawrence, Kan. 5K/10K