The Tigers will play host to the Murray State racers in the college/open division. The men will kick of the season running an 8K at 10 a.m. with the women following shortly after with a 5K at 10:40 a.m. The Tigers won the men's race with 16 points, while the women came in second place with 31 points. The top four finishers on the men's side came from Mizzou, as Garett Jeffries (Clarkson Valley, Mo.) took home the title clocking in at a time of 26:33.93. Rounding out the top four was Tim Cornell (Columbia, Mo.), Billy Bell (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Michael Barrows (Flint, Mich.).
The women also featured two top-five finishers. Ellen Ries (Ryan, Iowa) finished third overall and was the first Tiger to cross the finish line, coming in with a time of 18:40.98. Kate Greer (Marshalltown, Iowa) finished right behind Ries as she came in fourth with a time of 18:47.46.
The Tigers will look to use the Missouri Cross Country Challenge to springboard them into what should be an exciting year for the Tigers. Last season, the women, under the direction of Coach Rebecca Wilmes took home seventh place in the Big 12 Conference while they took home sixth place honors at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
With Greer and Ries each back for another year, the Tiger women should have a very productive 2007 campaign. Sophomore Emily Baker (Wildwood, Mo.) along with juniors Angela Potrykus (Evergreen, Colo.) and Trisa Nickoley (Tecumseh, Kan.) round out what should be an exciting bunch of runners for the Tigers.
The men will bring high expectations into the challenge for Head Coach Jared Wilmes. Coming off a sixth place finish in the Big 12 and a fourth place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional, the Tigers return an array of quality runners. Led by sophomore Dan Hedgecock (St. Louis, Mo.) and Jeffries the Tigers bring an impressive resume into the 2007 season. Also taking part in the event will be Bell, Barrows and Cornell.
Also making their way to A.L. Gustin Golf Course to compete in the event will be a variety of local high schools. Rock Bridge, Hickman, Helias, Jefferson City and Wright City will be among the high schools present at the meet.
After the Missouri Cross Country Challenge, the squad will have a week to prepare for their next meet as they make their way to Nashville, Tenn. to take part in the Vanderbilt Commodore Classic on Sept. 15.
2006 Missouri Cross Country Challenge College/Open Division Results:
Team Scores ========================================================================== Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 ==========================================================================
1 Wichita State 26 1 2 5 6 12 13 14 Total Time: 1:34:34.88 Average: 18:54.98
2 Missouri 31 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 Total Time: 1:35:38.17 Average: 19:07.64
3 Hannibal-LaGrange 85 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Total Time: 2:20:04.64 Average: 28:00.93
Comp# Name School Time Points
1 836 Becker, Sarah Wichita State 18:10.95
2 841 Lemon, Kimber Wichita State 18:22.14
3 819 Ries, Ellen Missouri 18:40.98
4 812 Greer, Kate Missouri 18:47.46
5 835 Baldwin, Chelsie Wichita State 19:00.27
6 842 Martinez, Olivia Wichita State 19:00.89
7 814 Nickoley, Trisa Missouri 19:16.35
8 813 Kimball, Kasey Missouri 19:20.49
9 816 Potrykus, Angela Missouri 19:32.89
10 818 Rauen, Carolyn Missouri 19:43.56 Men:
Team Scores ========================================================================== Rank Team Total 1 2 3 4 5 *6 *7 *8 *9 ==========================================================================
1 Missouri 16 1 2 3 4 6 12 13 Total Time: 2:13:22.06 Average: 26:40.42
2 Wichita State 39 5 7 8 9 10 11 14 Total Time: 2:17:27.47 Average: 27:29.50
3 Hannibal-LaGrange 85 15 16 17 18 19 20 Total Time: 2:34:58.99 Average: 30:59.80
Comp# Name School Time Points ========================================================================== 1 829 Jeffries, Garett Missouri 26:33.93
2 824 Cornell, Tim Missouri 26:34.32
3 823 Bell, Billy Missouri 26:34.72
4 822 Barrows, Michael Missouri 26:35.16
5 851 Reed, Scott Wichita State 26:51.51
6 873 Miller, Neville Unattached 26:53.99
7 825 Graybill, Brian Missouri 27:03.93
8 850 Nowak, Nick Wichita State 27:05.83
9 849 Johnson, Scott Wichita State 27:36.64
10 852 Rice, Danny Wichita State 27:48.32