Bobcat Harriers to Compete in Big Sky Conference Championships
10/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
Northern Arizona’s men and women’s squads are favored to win the team titles this Saturday. The NAU men are ranked #5 in the nation, while the Lumberjack women are ranked #11. Last year the NAU men were favored to win the team title but Montana State upset the Lumberjacks by four points to win the title with a total score of 41 points.
“Obviously, Northern Arizona is the favorite to win the title,” said MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “However, the battle for second is going to be very tight. At the Pre-National meet a couple of weeks ago, only 1 ½ point separated Montana State, Weber State and Montana.
“We’re going to need everyone to step-up,” Kennedy added. “We’ll need to run with intelligence for two-thirds of the race and with heart in the final one-third.”
The MSU men will be led by Kevin Clary and Jonathan Gibson, while the women will be paced by Ariana Lee and Mayra Morgado. Gibson placed 15th last year in the men’s race, while Lee placed 8th in the women’s event. Both Gibson and Lee will look to improve on last year’s performances.
“We made great strides as a team at the Pre-Nationals and we’ll look to use that as a springboard this weekend,” Kennedy said. “Ariana Lee has a great shot at all-conference honors and Mayra Morgado will also be pushing for league honors.
“We have a good shot at third place with Montana and Idaho State,” Kennedy stated. “Who would’ve thought at the beginning of the season that we could place behind NAU and Weber State? The kids have done an outstanding job of developing this season.”
The race will also mark the final weekend of competition before the NCAA Division I Mountain Region Cross Country Championships on Nov. 15, arguably one of the toughest regions in the country.
“Obviously, Northern Arizona is the favorite to win the title,” said MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “However, the battle for second is going to be very tight. At the Pre-National meet a couple of weeks ago, only 1 ½ point separated Montana State, Weber State and Montana.
“We’re going to need everyone to step-up,” Kennedy added. “We’ll need to run with intelligence for two-thirds of the race and with heart in the final one-third.”
The MSU men will be led by Kevin Clary and Jonathan Gibson, while the women will be paced by Ariana Lee and Mayra Morgado. Gibson placed 15th last year in the men’s race, while Lee placed 8th in the women’s event. Both Gibson and Lee will look to improve on last year’s performances.
“We made great strides as a team at the Pre-Nationals and we’ll look to use that as a springboard this weekend,” Kennedy said. “Ariana Lee has a great shot at all-conference honors and Mayra Morgado will also be pushing for league honors.
“We have a good shot at third place with Montana and Idaho State,” Kennedy stated. “Who would’ve thought at the beginning of the season that we could place behind NAU and Weber State? The kids have done an outstanding job of developing this season.”
The race will also mark the final weekend of competition before the NCAA Division I Mountain Region Cross Country Championships on Nov. 15, arguably one of the toughest regions in the country.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
