Oct. 13, 2007
Peoria, Ill. - The 2007 Tiger cross country team viewed the Bradley Classic as its final tune up before heading into post season play. After today's performance, it is safe to say that the Tigers look ready. 17 Tiger runners set personal records at the course at Newman Golf Course as both the men and women took home the team titles, with sophomore Dan Hedgecock (St. Louis, Mo.) winning the 8K race with a personal best time of 24:35. Freshman Kinsey Farren (Dallas, Texas) led the women across the finish line as she placed sixth overall with a personal best time of 21:22. The Tigers women scored 49 points just edging out Wichita State who finished in second place with 58 points. The Tiger men finished with 27 points, well ahead of Illinois State who finished in second with 53 points.
"The whole experience was really positive for us," Head Coach Jared Wilmes said. "It was a meet which we could really build upon and it gives us a lot of confidence heading into the conference meet."
The course at Newman Golf Course will be the same one featured at this season's NCAA Midwest Regional meet, giving the Tigers some first hand experience with the course. The men had a dominant race as five runners finish in the top-10 with Hedgecock leading the way. Junior Tim Cornell (Columbia, Mo.) ran the best race of his career finishing third overall with a time of 24:42. Senior Billy Bell (Chesterfield, Mo.) and freshman Phillip King (Columbia, Mo.) were also among top-five finishers to set personal bests. Bell came in seventh with a time of 25:03 while King finished right on his heels in tenth at 25:11. Garett Jeffries (Clarkson Valley, Mo.) was the third place finisher for Mizzou as he finished sixth overall, clocking in at 24:56.
"I was really happy with my race, it felt like it was a very smart race," Hedgecock said. "I was able to stick with the leaders and never fell too far out of contention."
The women were equally as impressive. Led by Farren, the Tigers had three runners in the top-10 and five in the top-15.
"I was happy with my start, but towards the end I died a little, but overall I think I ran really well," Farren said. "The race today gives us a lot of confidence and it was good to see a lot of people with personal records. It gives us a lot of confidence and helps us know that we can compete with a lot of top teams."
Finishing just behind Farren was senior Kate Greer (Marshalltown, Iowa) who finished eighth overall at 21:31. Junior Angela Potrykus (Evergreen, Colo.), one event removed from tying her personal best in the 6K, continued her breakout campaign as she finished in ninth place, setting a brand new personal best time of 21:32. Senior Kasey Kimball (Eureka, Mo.) scored what would prove to be the Tigers biggest points as she edged out both Wichita State's third and fourth finishers, sealing the victory for the Tigers. Kimball finished 12th overall with a time of 21:43.
Also setting personal bests for the Tigers on the men's were Ben Brammeier (Ballwin, Mo.), Brian Graybill (Liberty, Mo.), Rick Scheff (Atlanta, Ga.), Michael McDonnell (St. Charles, Ill.) and Matt Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) The women had their fair share of personal records as well. Joining Farren, Potrykus and Kimball was Emily Baker (Wildwood, Mo.), Carolyn Rauen (Cincinnati, Ohio), Ellen Ries (Ryan, Iowa), Trisa Nickoley (Tecumseh, Kan.) and Emily Ramsey (Waukesha, Wis.).
"A race like this is great and it gives us the ability to work together as a team as we head into Big 12's," Hedgecock said. "Cross country, although it doesn't seem like it is a team sport, and a meet like this gives us the ability to run together as a team and gives us a lot of confidence knowing that we can be competitive with some of the best teams."
The Tigers next meet will be in Lubbock, Texas as they will participate in the Big 12 Championships on Oct. 26th. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for all the latest cross country news and information.