October 13, 1998

The performance by the University of Missouri's men's cross country team at the Pre-National Invitational at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kan., last weekend drew national attention for the Tigers.

Coach Jeff Pigg's team is ranked 18th in this week's Martin Surfacing Men's Cross Country Rankings. Voters in the poll are members of the U.S. Cross Country Coaches Association. Mizzou is second in the Midwest Region behind Big 12 rival Oklahoma State.

On Saturday, the Tigers placed 10th at the Pre-National Invitational, and in the process beat 11 teams that were in the nation's top-32 last week.

"It's a stepping stone," Pigg said. "We ran very solid last weekend, but we know we've got more. We're not finished yet."

Last week's meet was run on the same course that will be the site of the NCAA Championships in November, and a championship-caliber field was on hand. Number-one ranked Stanford won the meet.

"It's a good feeling (to be ranked)," Pigg said. "It's a direct result of hard work. Most of the guys ran 70 miles per week all summer. Now they are seeing the dividends."