Montana State Harriers Compete at NCAA Mountain Regional
11/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
The women’s six-kilometer race begins at 10 a.m., followed by the men’s 10-kilometer race at 11 a.m. The NCAA Mountain Region championships are hosted by the University of New Mexico.
In all, 18 squads representing the Big Sky, Mountain West, Big 12, Conference USA, WAC and Mid-Continent Conference will participate.
Five teams ranked in the top 30 will race on the women’s side, including #9 Colorado, #12 Brigham Young, #17 Texas Tech, #24 Colorado State and #30 Weber State. The men’s event will feature #2 Colorado, #3 Texas-El Paso, #14 Brigham Young and #30 Weber State.
The MSU men’s team finished 14th overall at last year’s race. Heading into Saturday’s event, the Bobcats are ranked 8th in the region.
“We need to run smart,” said Montana State head coach Dale Kennedy. “We can’t make tactical mistakes. We have to lead with the head, then the heart.”
Guiding the Bobcats will be a trio of runners that have paced MSU this fall. Senior Kurt Michels, along with freshmen Nick Atwood and Matt Adams will set the tone.
“All three of these guys are capable of being our top runner,” Kennedy said. “We want the team to pack together for the first four miles, and then cut them loose.”
The top 25 finishers will earn All-NCAA Mountain Region honors. In addition, the top two squads will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships, as will the top four individuals that are not a member of a team qualifying for the national meet.
“Our kids want to finish higher than eighth,” Kennedy said. “Again, they need to be smart. Hopefully, we’ll also get someone in the top 25.”
The Montana State women’s team placed 12th at last year’s region race. Currently, the Bobcats are ranked tenth in the region.
“Team-wise, we want to finish in the top ten,” Kennedy said. “It will take a good team effort, but with the way Elisabeth (Driscoll) and Carrie (Gottschalk) have been competing this season, we have a chance. Kayla Larson also has a strong performance at the Big Sky meet, and she’s coming on strong.”
At-large berths to the NCAA meet will be announced next week.
In all, 18 squads representing the Big Sky, Mountain West, Big 12, Conference USA, WAC and Mid-Continent Conference will participate.
Five teams ranked in the top 30 will race on the women’s side, including #9 Colorado, #12 Brigham Young, #17 Texas Tech, #24 Colorado State and #30 Weber State. The men’s event will feature #2 Colorado, #3 Texas-El Paso, #14 Brigham Young and #30 Weber State.
The MSU men’s team finished 14th overall at last year’s race. Heading into Saturday’s event, the Bobcats are ranked 8th in the region.
“We need to run smart,” said Montana State head coach Dale Kennedy. “We can’t make tactical mistakes. We have to lead with the head, then the heart.”
Guiding the Bobcats will be a trio of runners that have paced MSU this fall. Senior Kurt Michels, along with freshmen Nick Atwood and Matt Adams will set the tone.
“All three of these guys are capable of being our top runner,” Kennedy said. “We want the team to pack together for the first four miles, and then cut them loose.”
The top 25 finishers will earn All-NCAA Mountain Region honors. In addition, the top two squads will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships, as will the top four individuals that are not a member of a team qualifying for the national meet.
“Our kids want to finish higher than eighth,” Kennedy said. “Again, they need to be smart. Hopefully, we’ll also get someone in the top 25.”
The Montana State women’s team placed 12th at last year’s region race. Currently, the Bobcats are ranked tenth in the region.
“Team-wise, we want to finish in the top ten,” Kennedy said. “It will take a good team effort, but with the way Elisabeth (Driscoll) and Carrie (Gottschalk) have been competing this season, we have a chance. Kayla Larson also has a strong performance at the Big Sky meet, and she’s coming on strong.”
At-large berths to the NCAA meet will be announced next week.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
