University of Missouri
Big12Championships
Men's Cross Country Third Best In Conference
11/1/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Nov. 1, 1999
The University of Missouri men's and women's cross country teams both finished third at the 1999 Big 12 Championships held at the Texas A&M Golf Course on Saturday (Oct. 30). Colorado swept both the team titles as well as the individual titles at the meet.
"This was our best race of the year for both teams," head coach Jeff Pigg said. "Both sides are really coming around at the right time of the season just like we thought."
Colorado's men ran away with the title as the No. 4 ranked team in the country scored only 22 points. Oklahoma State defeated Missouri by only one point for second place, 102-103. The fourth and fifth place teams for the men were Texas with 157 points and Texas A&M with 163 points.
"I thought we ran great," said Pigg. "This conference is the best in the country. Any time you lose by a point it stings a little. On the other hand, we are pleased to finish in the top-three again this year."
Junior Adam MacDowell led the way for the Tigers placing 11th in a time of 25:08 overall garnering All-Conference honors for the first time in cross country. The other Mizzou runners to cross the finish line in the team's top-five were junior Greg Speicher who placed 18th (15:36), junior Joel McCune who finished 22nd (25:45), sophomore Steve Wade placed 27th (25:56) and junior Nick Smith who placed 28th (25:56).
The other women who ran at the meet for Missouri were junior Mike Pitts placing 33rd (26:02), junior Phil Councilor finishing 38th (26:07), junior Derrick Peterson finishing 45th (26:20) and senior Mike Larson placing 47th (26:21).
Coach Pigg was very pleased with his teams performances. "Adam ran his best race of the year while Speicher ran the best race of his career at Missouri. Steve Wade turned in his best Tiger run as well. However, I was the most proud of Nick Smith who was bit by a but on Friday night and had to go to the hospital. He competed as well as anybody."
The Tigers now have a week off before heading to Champaign, Ill. on November 13 to compete at the Region V Championships. At the Region meet, the Tigers will be looking to gain their fifth consecutive NCAA Championship berth.
Men's Team Results
1. No. 4 Colorado 22, 2. Oklahoma State 102, 3. Missouri 103, 4. Texas 157, 5. Texas A&M 163, 6. Nebraska 173, 7. Kansas 187, 8. Iowa State 189, 9. Kansas State 202, 10. Texas Tech 240, 11. Baylor 263, 12. Oklahoma 320.
Individual Results (Winner and Missouri Only)
1. Ron Roybal (CU) 24:23, 11. Adam MacDowell (JR) 25:08, 18. Greg Speicher (JR) 25:36, 22. Joel McCune (JR) 25:45, 30. Steve Wade (So) 25:56, 28. Nick Smith (JR) 25:56, 38. Phil Councilor (JR) 26:07, 45. Derrick Peterson (JR) 26:20, 47. Mike Larson (SR) 26:21.
