Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Dave Winder-Murray State Athletics
Racing For Glory At OVC Cross Country Championships
10/27/2016 5:33:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
After taking fourth and sixth place a year ago, the Murray State cross country teams believe they can do better when the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championship is contested on Saturday at the Vaughn's Creek Cross Country Course at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
The women's 5K race will begin at 9:00 a.m. CT with the men's 8K race following at 10 a.m.
A year after the Racers hosted the event last fall, this time they head to Nashville as Belmont plays host to the 2016 OVC Championship.
Women's Preview
The women's event is being staged for the 38th time, after the first in 1979. The Racers own two OVC titles that they won in 1980 and 1981.
MSU's only individual OVC title came in 1982 when Diana Stewart did it. She was also honored in 1982 as the OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year. The Racers have had other high finishes, with Taylor Crawford taking second in 2009 and in 2008 Katelyn Jones finished third. MSU's best finishes in recent times include Carolyn Tanui in 2011 and Abigail Ashbee-Simmonds in 2012 each taking eighth place.
MSU's best returning finisher from the 2015 meet is Meagan Smith who placed 11th and earned All-OVC honors.
Racer's junior Vallery Korir has the third-fastest time in the OVC this season in the 5K with a showing of 17:16 (Sept. 30) and it set a new Murray State record.
Men's Preview
This will be the 55th OVC men's championship, as the first one was held in 1962. The Racers have won six titles with the last one coming in 1986, when they completed a back-to-back title run.
The Racers' sixth-place finish a year ago was their best in 13 years. He later set a PR at the NCAA regionals.
Senior Mark Ventura is MSU's leading returner after he placed 26th a year ago with a time of 26:13 in the 8K distance. He has MSU's best 8K time this season when he ran a 26:22 at Vanderbilt (Sept. 19).
MSU's last top-15 finish came in 2002 when Ryan Davis placed 11th. Joe Davis placed 10th in 2000.
OVC Championship is a celebration of the sport
Cross country running combines many challenges for the student-athletes. Mostly, it's runner not only against the clock, but also against the elements. The weather for Saturday in Nashville will be unseasonably warm.
The OVC Athletes and Freshmen of the Year, which are determined by coaches' vote, will be announced Friday night at an awards banquet while the Coach of the Year, Athletes of the Championship and All-OVC honors will be presented following Saturday's Championship.
The women's 5K race will begin at 9:00 a.m. CT with the men's 8K race following at 10 a.m.
A year after the Racers hosted the event last fall, this time they head to Nashville as Belmont plays host to the 2016 OVC Championship.
Women's Preview
The women's event is being staged for the 38th time, after the first in 1979. The Racers own two OVC titles that they won in 1980 and 1981.
MSU's only individual OVC title came in 1982 when Diana Stewart did it. She was also honored in 1982 as the OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year. The Racers have had other high finishes, with Taylor Crawford taking second in 2009 and in 2008 Katelyn Jones finished third. MSU's best finishes in recent times include Carolyn Tanui in 2011 and Abigail Ashbee-Simmonds in 2012 each taking eighth place.
MSU's best returning finisher from the 2015 meet is Meagan Smith who placed 11th and earned All-OVC honors.
Racer's junior Vallery Korir has the third-fastest time in the OVC this season in the 5K with a showing of 17:16 (Sept. 30) and it set a new Murray State record.
Men's Preview
This will be the 55th OVC men's championship, as the first one was held in 1962. The Racers have won six titles with the last one coming in 1986, when they completed a back-to-back title run.
The Racers' sixth-place finish a year ago was their best in 13 years. He later set a PR at the NCAA regionals.
Senior Mark Ventura is MSU's leading returner after he placed 26th a year ago with a time of 26:13 in the 8K distance. He has MSU's best 8K time this season when he ran a 26:22 at Vanderbilt (Sept. 19).
MSU's last top-15 finish came in 2002 when Ryan Davis placed 11th. Joe Davis placed 10th in 2000.
OVC Championship is a celebration of the sport
Cross country running combines many challenges for the student-athletes. Mostly, it's runner not only against the clock, but also against the elements. The weather for Saturday in Nashville will be unseasonably warm.
The OVC Athletes and Freshmen of the Year, which are determined by coaches' vote, will be announced Friday night at an awards banquet while the Coach of the Year, Athletes of the Championship and All-OVC honors will be presented following Saturday's Championship.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Evansville VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Indiana State VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Friday, February 27
