Montana State Hosts Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
The men’s five-mile event will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the women’s three-mile race at 11:45 a.m. All eight Big Sky Conference schools will participate in the championships. Last season, perennial Big Sky power Northern Arizona won both the men’s and women’s team titles.
NAU is the favorite on Saturday, as well.
“I think Northern Arizona and Weber State will be the teams to beat,” said MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “Northern Arizona has some high-end kids, but Weber State does a nice job of packing up and running as a team.
“If we were healthy on the men’s side, we would have a chance to win it,” Kennedy added. “However, with the three big horses (Casey Jermyn, Jonathan Gibson, and Kevin Clary) all not at 100-percent, I think it’s a long-shot for our guys to win the title.”
Jermyn, a senior from Plains, was the 2002 Big Sky cross country champion, while Gibson and Clary finished fourth and fifth, respectively at the 2003 league meet. Also looking to make a statement on Saturday will be Tony Bachmann and Josh Ricardi.
“The progress that we’ve received from Bachmann and Ricardi is amazing,” Kennedy said. “Tony Bachmann is running very well and I think he could turn some heads on Saturday.”
Rounding out MSU’s squad is Caleb Ambrose, Joe Wirtz and Nick Green. Ambrose is nursing an injury, and if unable to run on Saturday, will be replaced by veteran runner Nick Green.
Senior Mayra Morgado will pace the Bobcat women on Saturday. Morgado placed ninth at last year’s Big Sky meet to earn all-conference accolades. Also looking to be among the league’s top ten will be freshman Elisabeth Driscoll and transfer Ashley Hadway.
“I think all three girls have a shot of being all-conference,” Kennedy said. “We haven’t placed three runners in the top 10 since 1995, and that squad went on to a 15th place finish at the NCAAs.”
The rest of the Bobcat contingent will be comprised of Kayla Larson, Caroline Gottschalk, Stephanie Carter and Athlene Allred.
“The women’s success will be with our Nos. 4-7 kids,” Kennedy said. “If they can have a big day, we will be among the top three.”
The Bobcat men’s team has captured two team titles (2002, 1993), while the MSU women have won four conference crowns (1995, 1994, 1986, 1985).
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