October 11, 1998

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The Missouri Men's Cross Country team proved that they can compete with Top 20 competiton, and finish ahead of them. The Tigers finished in front of 11 teams that are currently ranked in the Top 35 nationally.

"I am real pleased with our finish here, we set the stage for some national exposure and we beat everyone here from our region. They guys came in and did what they needed to do," Coach Jeff Pigg said.

Junior Joel McCune had his best race of his collegiate career as he finished first of the Missouri runners.

"Joel beat some cross country all-americans, and it was his first ever number one finish for us, so we are very proud of the way he competed," Pigg said.

It was another solid race by Missouri's top five as Nick Smith(So.) finished 53rd, Ryan Pirtle(Sr.) 73rd, Adam MacDowell(So.) 99th, and Mike Larson(Jr.) 105th to boost the Tigers.

"The important thing is that we are not done here. Our team is getting stronger and stronger as the season goes on," Pigg explains. "We go to South Florida next weekend for a tough meet and are looking forward to competing down there."

Freshman Ann Marie Brooks and Sophomore Katie Meyer continue to be the one-two punch that has lead the Tigers thus far in the season with finishes of 46th and 48th. Freshman Kim Moore, also ran an excellent race for the Tiger women as she finished 70th overall.

"Another solid meet by Ann Marie and Katie, they have run well and continue to get better," Pigg said,"It was really nice to see Kim have a break-out race like this, she hadn't been able to practice much this week so for her to run well was extraordinary."

Both teams travel to Tampa, Fl. Friday for the South Floroida Invitational, another meet where the Tigers will see some nationally ranked competition.