Oct. 11, 1999
Pre-Nationals Up Next For MU
The University of Missouri women's cross country team is headed to the Hoosier state for the second time in October on Saturday (Oct. 16) to compete in the Indiana Invitational/Pre-Nationals. The gun fires for the women's 5K race to begin at 11:15 a.m.
Competition from across the country will be at the meet since the course is the same one in which the NCAA Championships will be held, November 22, 1999. However, in order for Missouri to earn a birth at nationals, they first have to compete at the Region V Championships on November 13, in Champaign, Ill.
Gullingsrud Wins Conference Honor
Senior Anna Gullingsrud was named the Big 12 female Runner-of-the-Week for the week of October 4. Gullingsrud earned the award based on her second-place performance at the 140 competitor Addais Notre Dame Invitational on Friday, Oct. 1. She ccrossed the finish line of the 5K course in 18 minutes and 17 seconds.
"I am really happy for her," head coach Jeff Pigg said Wednesday. " She has been in Columbia for the last two years training with us and watching us compete. Now it's finally her turn to compete for Missouri. All her hard work and dedication the past two years is finally paying off."
Women Ready to Battle
The MU women are looking for another great team race with Notre Dame again this Saturday after finishing second to the Fighting Irish at their home meet (Oct. 1).
"We are ready to go up against Notre Dame again this weekend," Pigg said. "All five of our girls are finally ready to race on the same page. Sophomores Kim Moore and Ann Marie Brooks are finally healthy again and junior Justa Dahl has been getting better with every meet this year."
The women have been steadily improving as the season has progressed and with the caliber of competition at this Saturday's race, Mizzou can really let loose and show how great they really are.
Women Show Depth
At the Notre Dame Invite, Gullingsrud was the lead runner finishing 2nd overall, however, she was not the only Tiger to turn in a great run. Junior Katie Meyer placed 5th and freshman Amy Chipman placed 7th for Mizzou. Rounding out the MU top-5 were sophomore Ann Maire Brooks (24th) and junior Justa Dahl (35th).
Meyer and Chipman have been Missouri's two most consistent runners this fall. Both have been a top-3 runner for Mizzou in every meet thus far into the season. Meyer was the No. 1 runner at the Roy Griak Invite two weeks ago while placing 19th. Chipman was MU's No. 2 runner at the home opener in her collegiate debut and the number three runner the past two meets for the Tigers.
In the Polls
The third Cross Country Coaches Association of America poll was released on Tuesday (Oct. 5) with the Missouri women fallingone place to No. 14.