Sept. 4, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Mizzou cross country team will open its 2009 season at the SIU Early Bird this Friday (Sept. 4) on the campus of Southern Illinois. The Tigers and Salukis will be joined by Southeast Missouri State in the three-team event. The race is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. with the women's race while the men will follow at 6 p.m. Complete results and a recap will be available following the meet at www.MUTigers.com.
The Tiger women will be led by returners Kinsey Farren (Dallas, Texas) - who was the Tigers' top finisher at every race last season - and fifth-year senior Ellen Ries (Ryan, Iowa). Ries did not compete at a single event last season due to nagging injuries, but according to the coaching staff, looks poised for a breakout season. Junior Emily Baker (Wildwood, Mo.) highlights the returners for the Tiger women.
Two freshmen - Bailey Belvis (Prosper, Texas) and Kaitie Vanatta (Littleton, Colo.) - will also make an immediate impact on the Tiger roster this season. Belvis was a two-time Texas Class 3A State Champion during high school and was also the State Champion in both the 1,600m and 3,200m runs on the track during the 2007 season. Vanatta brings an impressive resume to Mizzou as well as she placed third the Colorado Class 5A Regional Championships during her senior season.
The men return one of the youngest rosters in the Big 12 to the cross country course this season, highlighted by a pair of juniors - Phillip King (Columbia, Mo.) and Dan Quigley (St. Louis, Mo.). King had a fine outdoor track & field season and has established himself as one of the top runners in the Big 12 this season as he has his sights set on All-Big 12 accolades when the Tigers host the Big 12 Championships on Oct. 31. Last season, King was the Tigers' second finisher at the Big 12 Championship meet with a time of 25:20.78. Quigley also has his eyes set on an All-Conference finish as he improved mightily through the 2008 season and the 2009 track & field season.
The Saluki men come into the event as the preseason Missouri Valley favorite according to the league's coaches as they are the defending Missouri Valley Champions. The men are led by 2008 All-American Jeff Schirmer. The Saluki women were tabbed fourth in the preseason poll and are led by A'Seret Dukobu.
Both the SEMO men's and women's cross country teams were picked to finish third in the Ohio Valley Conference. Each team also received a first-place vote for the upcoming season, making for stiff competition at the Tigers' season-opening meet.
For a complete recap and results from the SIU Early Bird, check back with www.MUTigers.com.