Montana State Harriers at Big Sky Championships
10/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
The men’s 8-kilometer event will begin at 11 a.m. (MST), followed by the women’s 5-kilometer race at 12 p.m.
“We’re right where we want to be for the championships,” said MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “We feel good entering the race. The terrain will be very familiar to what we see with the trail system in Bozeman.”
The Montana State men’s team will be chasing perennial Big Sky powers Weber State and Northern Arizona. Kennedy is expecting the Bobcats to battle with Montana and Idaho State for third place.
“I really like our chances for a third place finish,” Kennedy said. “Weber State and Northern Arizona is a notch above everyone else. I like the character of our team. The one constant has been our 30-second split between Nos. 1-5. We have had three different guys lead us this fall.”
MSU will be paced by senior Kurt Michels, who placed eighth at last season’s league championship. He will be followed by freshmen Nick Atwood, Matt Adams and Matt Beamer. Also looking to make a contribution will be Devin McDowell, Graydon Curry and Michael Kapus.
As a team, the Bobcats finished fifth overall in 2005.
“On paper, it doesn’t look like we can get a kid in the top ten, which would mean all-conference honors,” Kennedy said. “However, I’m not counting any of our kids out. Kurt Michels was there last year, and he’ll be gunnin’ for it again.”
The Bobcat women’s team will be led by its usual threesome of Ashley Hadway, Elisabeth Driscoll and Carrie Gottschalk. All three athletes have paced the MSU women’s squad this fall.
Hadway and Driscoll have both earned All-Big Sky Cross Country recognition. Driscoll finished 10th overall, last season, guiding the Bobcats to a fourth place team finish. Hadway, who redshirted last fall, was fourth in 2004.
“We have three kids with a lot of experience, and two of them, Carrie Gottschalk and Elisabeth Driscoll, are coming off the best races in their careers at the NCAA Pre-Nationals,” Kennedy said. “Hopefully, they’ll use their last race as a springboard into the championships.”
Like the men’s side, Weber State and Northern Arizona are the favorites for the team crown. According to Kennedy, Montana is a likely third place finisher, with MSU and Idaho State fighting for the fourth spot.
“Our success, as it has all season, will come down to how our kids at No. 4-6 finish,” Kennedy said.
Following the Big Sky meet the Bobcats will compete at the NCAA Mountain Regional, Nov. 11 in Albuquerque, NM.
“We’re right where we want to be for the championships,” said MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “We feel good entering the race. The terrain will be very familiar to what we see with the trail system in Bozeman.”
The Montana State men’s team will be chasing perennial Big Sky powers Weber State and Northern Arizona. Kennedy is expecting the Bobcats to battle with Montana and Idaho State for third place.
“I really like our chances for a third place finish,” Kennedy said. “Weber State and Northern Arizona is a notch above everyone else. I like the character of our team. The one constant has been our 30-second split between Nos. 1-5. We have had three different guys lead us this fall.”
MSU will be paced by senior Kurt Michels, who placed eighth at last season’s league championship. He will be followed by freshmen Nick Atwood, Matt Adams and Matt Beamer. Also looking to make a contribution will be Devin McDowell, Graydon Curry and Michael Kapus.
As a team, the Bobcats finished fifth overall in 2005.
“On paper, it doesn’t look like we can get a kid in the top ten, which would mean all-conference honors,” Kennedy said. “However, I’m not counting any of our kids out. Kurt Michels was there last year, and he’ll be gunnin’ for it again.”
The Bobcat women’s team will be led by its usual threesome of Ashley Hadway, Elisabeth Driscoll and Carrie Gottschalk. All three athletes have paced the MSU women’s squad this fall.
Hadway and Driscoll have both earned All-Big Sky Cross Country recognition. Driscoll finished 10th overall, last season, guiding the Bobcats to a fourth place team finish. Hadway, who redshirted last fall, was fourth in 2004.
“We have three kids with a lot of experience, and two of them, Carrie Gottschalk and Elisabeth Driscoll, are coming off the best races in their careers at the NCAA Pre-Nationals,” Kennedy said. “Hopefully, they’ll use their last race as a springboard into the championships.”
Like the men’s side, Weber State and Northern Arizona are the favorites for the team crown. According to Kennedy, Montana is a likely third place finisher, with MSU and Idaho State fighting for the fourth spot.
“Our success, as it has all season, will come down to how our kids at No. 4-6 finish,” Kennedy said.
Following the Big Sky meet the Bobcats will compete at the NCAA Mountain Regional, Nov. 11 in Albuquerque, NM.
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