TCU Travels to WAC Cross Country Championships
10/29/1999 12:00:00 AM | General
Fresh off a pair of strong outings two weeks ago, TCU enters the competition expecting - at the least - to finish near the top of the team standings and, if things break their way, to compete for the team titles in both divisions.
"We'll show up ready to compete and I think we're as prepared as we can possibly be," said TCU assistant coach Dan Waters. "The kids are healthy and have practiced well this week. Their attitude is really good right now."
WOMEN'S OUTLOOK
The TCU women's team was the preseason pick of the league's coaches to win the WAC title, but the loss of Robin Schacht to a hip injury has put a damper on those lofty hopes. Nonetheless, TCU enters the meet coming off its best performance of recent weeks.
"We ran well against some strong competition up in Arkansas and I hope that carries over to this meet," Waters said.
With front runners Glady's Keitany and Katie Singleton leading the way, TCU should contend for a top team finish and could have an outside shot at the title if things break their way. Keitany and Singleton both enjoyed strong showings at last year's WAC Championships in Houston. Keitany placed fourth and earned Freshman of the Year honors while Singleton placed seventeenth to help TCU to a surprising third-place team finish.
Waters and his squad are hopeful for a finish in the top two of the team standings while Keitany and Singleton figure to battle for finishes in the top five overall. Six runners will make the trip to Fresno for the women's team: Keitany, Singleton, Georgeanne Biancardi, Alison Harvey, Shannon McKinney and Melody Raffloer.
MEN'S OUTLOOK
The men's team enters the event seen by many as a darkhorse title contender for the team title. Senior David Lagat figures to be in the mix for the individual title, along with SMU's Clyde Colenso and UTEP's Dario Espinosa-Anta. Lagat, who has finished in the WAC's top three twice in his TCU career, has won four of his five races this fall.
"David's put together a fine season, but has been hindered by some ankle pain recently," Waters said. "But he should be ready to go full speed on Saturday. Mentally, he's ready to compete for the title."
Joining Lagat in the competition for a top finish will be fellow seniors Adrian Martinez, Patrick Belmont and Jared Pope. Martinez has been consistently TCU's second finisher all season and is forecast for another top 10 finish in this meet. Belmont sat out much of the early portion of the season while concentrating on graduate school admissions procedures. He came back to action two weeks ago and ran well at the Southwest Texas Invitational, indicating that he may be primed for a strong showing in Fresno. Pope has recovered from an early-season ankle injury and is running as well as at any time in his TCU career.
"This is their final go-round, so they'll be pretty excited going in," Waters said of the trio. "I know they'll put out a good effort. They always have. If we can get a solid performance from them, we'll have as good a chance (to win the team title) as anyone."
Seven Horned Frogs will make the trip for the men's team. Joining Lagat, Martinez, Belmont and Pope will be junior Adam Helm, junior Ryan Womack and freshman Justin Speer.
