Cross Country Ready for BIG EAST Championship
10/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 26, 2006
MILWAUKEE - The men's and women's cross country teams embark on their second BIG EAST Championship on Friday at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. The men's 8 K race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET with the women's 6 K race to follow at 11:50 a.m. on the mostly flat course.
"Last year was our first year in the BIG EAST and we weren't sure what to expect," said head coach Dave Uhrich. "This year, we know more about the conference and what to expect. For both the men and women, we want to improve on last years finishes. Right now, the BIG EAST is running really strong with several nationally ranked teams. It is going to be a tough weekend, but I am confident we will compete well.
The Golden Eagle men are one of 14 teams vying for this season's title. They are coming off a 29th-place finish at the Pre-NCAA Championship Meet, Oct. 14, in which senior Brent Des Roches led the squad with a 59th-place run. Sophomore Kyle Saginus, after a 49th-place finish, is the team's top returning runner from the BIG EAST Championship a year ago.
"Our goal with the men is to place higher that last season's finish in eighth," Uhrich said. "We have become a better team, but the conference has as well. We need to have a good race."
Junior Cassie Peller leads the charge on the women's side after finishing 62nd at the Pre-NCAA Championship, and 14th at the 2005 BIG EAST Championship. Senior Michaela Courtney will also return for her final conference meet after placing 20th in 2005. Sixteen teams will compete for the women's crown.
"Last year, we were very pleased with the women's third place finish in our first ever BIG EAST meet," added Uhrich. "Providence (No. 12) and Georgetown (No. 18) are ranked very high and Notre Dame and Villanova are close to being ranked nationally. For us to finish at least third again is our goal, and you just never know what might happen with the teams in front of us."
"I think both teams are ready to run their best races of year," concluded Uhrich.
