Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
OVC Championships
Racers Have Big Expectations At OVC Championships
10/28/2011 11:36:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Murray State cross country looks to continue its strong 2011 season Saturday morning at the OVC Championships, at the Arlington Club in Richmond, Ky. The men's 8K race will kick off the morning at 8:30 a.m. with the women taking to the 5k course at 9:30 a.m.
The Racers have been gearing up all season to run well this weekend, training to hit their stride at the OVC Championships and NCAA Regionals in two weeks.
“It's almost scary how good we've looked in workouts lately,” head coach Jenny Severns said. “The last couple of weeks have been a little rough for us as far as sickness, but fitness-wise, we're really good as everyone keeps getting better and better.”
The MSU women will have a full contingent for the first time in three events, as Rebecca Hbetamu and Anna Grimes were both unavailable two weeks ago at the Evansville Invitational. Carolyne Tanui ran to a 14th place finish to lead the Racers to a fourth place team finish at Evansville.
The Racers have a history of performing well at the OVC Championships, placing in the top four each of the past four seasons, including a third place finish last season. That history along with the talent on this year's team has Severns expecting big things this year.
“I want for everyone to go out, run their best and work as hard as they can,” Severns said. “ Obviously we want to win, but if we don't, we want to at least go out there and give the top teams a run for their money. I don't think anyone would be happy with anything less than that. Last year we finished third, but we were kind of a distant third. We have higher expectations this year.”
Reid Thomas led the men's squad at Evansville for the first time this season, running the 8k course in 30:50.63.
Cross country wraps up the 2011 season Saturday, Nov. 12, at the NCAA Southeast Regional in Louisville, Ky.
