Sept. 28, 1999

Indiana Here Comes Missouri

The University of Missouri cross country teams are headed to the Hoosier state to compete at the Addais Notre Dame Invitational on Friday, October 1. The competition begins at 2:45 with the men's 8K gold division followed by the women's open 5K race at 3:30 and the women's 5K championship race at 4:15. The invitational will conclude with the men's 8K blue division at 5:00. Both the men's and women's races will feature teams currently ranked in the top-25.

In the Polls

The second Cross Country Coaches Association of America poll was released today (Sept. 28) and the Missouri men moved up three places. As the team heads to the Notre Dame Invitational this weekend, they are ranked as the 23rd best team in the country. (Points) 1. Arkansas (397) 2. Stanford (382) 3. North Carolina St. (357) 4. Wisconsin (354) 5. Colorado (342) 6. BYU (297) 7. Arizona (283)' 8. Northern Arizona (277) 9. James Madison (270) 10. Oregon (249) 11. Weber State (228) 12. Georgetown (218) 13. Michigan (196) 14. Providence (182) 15. Portland (152) 16. Southern Mississippi (117) 17. Arizona State (111) 18. Alabama (94) 19. Princeton (91) 20. Iona College (90) 21. William & Mary (88) 22. Michigan State (84) 23. Missouri ( 54) 24. Oklahoma State (50) 25. Dartmouth (44)

MU Preforms Well Against Tough Competition

The Missouri men's and women's cross country teams both turned in top-10 team performances at the Roy Griake Invitational that featured numerous teams ranked in the nation's top-30 by the Cross Country Coaches Association of America as well as three other conference opponents. Missouri head coach Jeff Pigg was pleased with his team's overall performance.

"We set our sights on the end of the season," said Pigg. "We are so far ahead of where we were at this time last year. We will get the job done when it counts. I feel very confident with where we are at this point in our training this season"

Another Opportunity for Tigers on Friday

Missouri is not backing down from tough competition as the season moves into October. At the Notre Dame Invitational, coach Pigg and the harriers will be able to test themselves against some of the better teams in the country.

"Notre Dame gives us the opportunity to run against some great teams," Pigg said. "Racing again this soon is good for the teams. It helps us to get into a rhythm and in good racing mode. The runners are starting to learn their limits, pushing themselves harder than you can in practice. It allows us to start to feel more comfortable during the races."

Notre Dame will give both teams a glimpse at some great teams from around the midwest. Pigg is excited to race the likes of Michigan and Georgetown on the men's side as well as the other 30 teams the Tigers will be competing against.

Men Show Depth

The Missouri men showed just how deep they were on Saturday in Minnesota. All 10 of Missouri's runners finished in the top 100 with the five scorers running together the entire race. MU's top five were 20 places apart with only 18 seconds separating sophomore Mike Pitts, the No. 1 runner who had a break through race and the No. 5 runner, Joel McCune.

When comparing the numbers with the other nine teams to finish in the top 10, Missouri's 8th harrier was ahead of all the other teams's 7th runner. Also, the Tiger's No. 9 and 10 runners would have been all, but four teams 7th runner.

"That is exciting," Pigg said. "It takes the pressure off the guys. They can just go out and race, not worrying about who the top five are going to be. It is comforting to me as a coach and them as athletes."

Newcomers Corner

A newcomer to the Missouri cross country team stepped up big this weekend making a statement to all those around. Junior Phil Councilor both made his presence felt on the course.

For the men, Councilor was hurt during the 1998 season and did not get to compete, but that has not slowed him down any in 1999. Coach Pigg had originally planned on just training Councilor for the 800m run in track, but after the way he has been training, he could not resist to let him loose. The junior did not disappoint as he finished 81st overall and was MU's seventh runner.

"Councilor was huge for us," said Pigg. "I could not have asked for a better surprise performance for the team."