Montana State Cross Country Teams Compete at NCAA Mountain Regional
11/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
The top two teams in the Mountain Region will automatically advance to the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Indiana. According to MSU head coach, an unprecedented six men’s teams could make the NCAA field, four earning at-large bids.
“The Mountain Region is year-in and year-out one of the toughest in the nation,” Kennedy said. “There are six teams that have all received votes towards getting into the national meet.”
In addition, four student-athletes that are not part of a team going to the NCAA meet will qualify for the big dance as individuals. Last season, Montana State sent Jonathan Gibson and Ariana Lee to the NCAA Championships.
The Montana State men’s team, who finished second at the Big Sky Championships two weeks ago, will be paced by Gibson, and fellow seniors Casey Jermyn and Kevin Clary. Tony Bachmann, who placed second for the Bobcats and garnered all-conference honors at the Big Sky meet, will not run on Saturday after violating team rules.
“We’re sitting in eighth on the region poll, and I would like to think we can finish higher than that; however, with Tony Bachmann out of the line-up and a few others nursing season-long injuries, it’s going to take a huge race from all of our guys to get into the top six,” Kennedy added.
The Bobcat women will be paced by all-conference performers Ashley Hadway, Elisabeth Driscoll and Mayra Morgado. But according to Kennedy, it will be the Nos. 4-6 runners that will decide MSU’s fate.
“The women are 11th in the Mountain Region poll,” Kennedy said. “We have three solid front-runners, which is a nice advantage in a big meet like this. Our success will come down to how well Kayla Larson, Carrie Gottschalk and Stephanie Carter perform.”
Colorado is the favorite in the men’s race after capturing the Big XII title two weeks ago. Also in the team hunt will be Brigham Young, Northern Arizona, New Mexico and Air Force. Brent Vaughn of Colorado is the individual pre-race favorite.
The Buffaloes are also favored on the women’s side, followed by BYU, Northern Arizona and Colorado State.
“The Mountain Region is year-in and year-out one of the toughest in the nation,” Kennedy said. “There are six teams that have all received votes towards getting into the national meet.”
In addition, four student-athletes that are not part of a team going to the NCAA meet will qualify for the big dance as individuals. Last season, Montana State sent Jonathan Gibson and Ariana Lee to the NCAA Championships.
The Montana State men’s team, who finished second at the Big Sky Championships two weeks ago, will be paced by Gibson, and fellow seniors Casey Jermyn and Kevin Clary. Tony Bachmann, who placed second for the Bobcats and garnered all-conference honors at the Big Sky meet, will not run on Saturday after violating team rules.
“We’re sitting in eighth on the region poll, and I would like to think we can finish higher than that; however, with Tony Bachmann out of the line-up and a few others nursing season-long injuries, it’s going to take a huge race from all of our guys to get into the top six,” Kennedy added.
The Bobcat women will be paced by all-conference performers Ashley Hadway, Elisabeth Driscoll and Mayra Morgado. But according to Kennedy, it will be the Nos. 4-6 runners that will decide MSU’s fate.
“The women are 11th in the Mountain Region poll,” Kennedy said. “We have three solid front-runners, which is a nice advantage in a big meet like this. Our success will come down to how well Kayla Larson, Carrie Gottschalk and Stephanie Carter perform.”
Colorado is the favorite in the men’s race after capturing the Big XII title two weeks ago. Also in the team hunt will be Brigham Young, Northern Arizona, New Mexico and Air Force. Brent Vaughn of Colorado is the individual pre-race favorite.
The Buffaloes are also favored on the women’s side, followed by BYU, Northern Arizona and Colorado State.
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