University of Missouri
NCAA Midwest Regional
Mizzou's Men Place Fifth at Regional
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Nov. 15, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Missouri cross country teams competed Saturday in the NCAA Midwest Region Championships in Stillwater, Okla. Mizzou's men placed fifth among the 27 teams from nine Midwest states in scoring 168 points, and only trailing teams ranked in the nation's top 25. Junior Garett Jeffries (Clarkson Valley, Mo.) placed 17th overall in the 10-kilometer race, clocking 31:34.8, to garner All-Region honors and is eligible to gain an individual at-large selection to the NCAA Championship meet.
Assuming Tulsa and Iowa State pick up at-large team selections into the NCAA Championship meet, Jeffries would be the third-best from the region among those not on a qualifying team. Oral Roberts' Jonah Lagat, who placed 11th overall, and Iowa's Jesse Luciano, who took 15th, will most likely gain automatic advancement to the NCAA Championships as individuals. Jeffries would occupy the next spot in the roll and could possibly be chosen as an at-large individual competitor to the national meet. If chosen, Jeffries would be the fifth Tiger to participate at the NCAA Championships as an individual in five years.
Transfer Michael Pandolfo (Lone Tree, Colo.) ran a personal best 32:02.3 to place 26th overall as the men's second scorer. Sophomore Phillip King (Columbia, Mo. / Rock Bridge HS) shaved 49 seconds off his previous regional run to finish at Mizzou's third placer, coming in 32nd overall. Sophomore Dan Quigley (St. Louis, Mo.) followed closely behind in crossing the mat at 32:17.7 for 38th overall. Frosh Phil Bascio (Florissant, Mo.) was the Tigers' fifth in placing 60th in his first-ever 10k race at 32:48.8.
Dan Hedgecock finished 79th while Tim Cornell recovered from a trip and being stepped on to finish 92nd. Cornell was among the race's leaders in the first half.
The Tiger women placed 10th (291 pts.) in its six-kilometer race, led again by sophomore Kinsey Farren (Dallas, Texas) who placed 42nd overall with a time of 22:09.5.
Sophomore Layne Moore (Emporia, Kan.) slashed 32 seconds off her personal best to come in as Mizzou's second scorer at 57th overall. Emily Baker (22:36.8, 66th), Jessica Armstrong (22:41.3, 71st), and Laura Roxberg (22:45.4, PR, 76th) rounded out the Tiger scoring.
Mizzou's cross country season is complete barring an at-large selection for Jeffries to the NCAA Championships. The NCAA committee will make final announcements concerning the championship field in the next few days. The NCAA Championships will be held Monday, November 24, in Terre Haute, Ind.
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Players Mentioned
