2008 Woodie Awards
'California dreaming'
Michael Jefferies
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The Mules' and Jennies' cross country teams will head to the west coast Nov. 19 for the NCAA-II Championship races in Pomona, Calif.
The race will be the biggest one for the teams so far this year. Head cross country coach Kirk Pedersen expects his team to be up for the challenge.
"We are used to running against some high-level competition," Pedersen said. "We expect there to be some outstanding runners there, but we'll be ready. We've run in some big meets like Nebraska and Oklahoma State that have helped prepare us a little bit."
For the Mules, the national race will be 10,000 meters long, which is slightly longer than most races they've competed in so far this year. Pedersen said the increased length of the race can be an advantage for his team.
"We feel like we run better in longer races," he said. "We've done well so far."
The length of the race for the Jennies will remain at 6,000 meters, and Pedersen is expects good results from the team.
"Last year, the women finished 10th, and I think they expect to get things done," Pedersen said. "I think a top-10 finish for [the women] is not out of reach."
Before the team could make travel plans for California, the team had to qualify for the NCAA-II Nationals by running well in the South Central Regional qualifying race last weekend in Abilene, Texas.
The Jennies won the South Central Regional title as the team had all five runners finish in the top 22.
They were led by Danielle Moul-Nagel who finished 7th with a time of 23:25 and Gina Kennison who finished 8th with a time of 23:27.
"The women are running very well right now," Pedersen said. "They've run well late in the year, and they've put it together. I'm very pleased with what they are doing right now."
Also helping the Jennies to the regional title were Nicole Hasemeier in 16th, Erin Hasemeier in 20th and Sandy Davidson in 22nd.
"We've got a good mix of [women] runners," Pedersen said. "The strength of our 4th and 5th runners really helps. It's definitely been a team effort all year, and they were able to get it done."
The Mules also had a big day as the team finished 3rd overall in the regional race. They were led by Jarod Wall, who finished 4th with a time of 31:58.
Pedersen was pleased to see Wall, his most consistent runner all year, put up a good time once again.
"It was a great race for [Jarod]," Pedersen said. "He was running with the defending national champion and also with some other really good runners. I think it gave him a preview of what to expect at nationals."
The Mules were also helped by Joe Mundt in 18th, Matt Merrigan in 22nd, Dennis Hill in 24th, and Chris Colesworthy in 34th.
The race will be the biggest one for the teams so far this year. Head cross country coach Kirk Pedersen expects his team to be up for the challenge.
"We are used to running against some high-level competition," Pedersen said. "We expect there to be some outstanding runners there, but we'll be ready. We've run in some big meets like Nebraska and Oklahoma State that have helped prepare us a little bit."
For the Mules, the national race will be 10,000 meters long, which is slightly longer than most races they've competed in so far this year. Pedersen said the increased length of the race can be an advantage for his team.
"We feel like we run better in longer races," he said. "We've done well so far."
The length of the race for the Jennies will remain at 6,000 meters, and Pedersen is expects good results from the team.
"Last year, the women finished 10th, and I think they expect to get things done," Pedersen said. "I think a top-10 finish for [the women] is not out of reach."
Before the team could make travel plans for California, the team had to qualify for the NCAA-II Nationals by running well in the South Central Regional qualifying race last weekend in Abilene, Texas.
The Jennies won the South Central Regional title as the team had all five runners finish in the top 22.
They were led by Danielle Moul-Nagel who finished 7th with a time of 23:25 and Gina Kennison who finished 8th with a time of 23:27.
"The women are running very well right now," Pedersen said. "They've run well late in the year, and they've put it together. I'm very pleased with what they are doing right now."
Also helping the Jennies to the regional title were Nicole Hasemeier in 16th, Erin Hasemeier in 20th and Sandy Davidson in 22nd.
"We've got a good mix of [women] runners," Pedersen said. "The strength of our 4th and 5th runners really helps. It's definitely been a team effort all year, and they were able to get it done."
The Mules also had a big day as the team finished 3rd overall in the regional race. They were led by Jarod Wall, who finished 4th with a time of 31:58.
Pedersen was pleased to see Wall, his most consistent runner all year, put up a good time once again.
"It was a great race for [Jarod]," Pedersen said. "He was running with the defending national champion and also with some other really good runners. I think it gave him a preview of what to expect at nationals."
The Mules were also helped by Joe Mundt in 18th, Matt Merrigan in 22nd, Dennis Hill in 24th, and Chris Colesworthy in 34th.