Women's Cross Country Hosts NCAA South Regional
11/10/2004 12:00:00 AM
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The Alabama women’s cross country team, which hosts this Saturday’s NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships, comes into the weekend knowing their best race is still in front of them.
“I think one of the things they learned about themselves at the SEC Championships is that they still have more to give,” cross country coach Steve Keith said. “They’re coming into this weekend with a great deal of confidence and they are ready to finish things off on a high note.”
The women’s meet starts at 10 a.m. at Harry Pritchett Golf Course. They will compete over a 6-kilometer course which has been revamped as a true cross country venue since the closing of the golf club last year. The men’s 10k race gets underway at 11 a.m. This meet is the gateway to the NCAA Championships, with the top-2 teams advancing along with the top four individuals not on an advancing team. In addition to the 18 automatic team berths from the nine regionals, there are 13 at-large team bids as well.
“Not only are we ready to have our best race of the season,” Keith said. “There is the added boost of competing at home when you’re running in front of friends and family.”
As a team, the Tide has been hampered by injuries and illness. Sophomore standout Tara Enebak has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. She was the Tide’s top finisher through the second half of last season. The Tide will also be without the services of freshman Lauren Lambert who has been slowed by a nagging lower leg problem.
The good news is that freshman Jen Gray, who fell ill at the SEC Championships two weeks ago, will be available for duty this weekend, which give the Tide, six runners and a much needed boost. Gray will join sophomores Megan Carnes, Julia Hicks and Elizabeth Wancowicz, who have led the Tide this season, and junior Blair Davis and senior Virnetta Greene.
“One thing I’ve noticed about this region is how much stronger it’s gotten over the last several years,” Keith said. “Five or six years ago, we could have taken this team and even with the problems we’ve had, still look for a top-10 finish, maybe seventh or eighth. This year we’ll be fighting to finish in the top-15. It’s just a much stronger region.”
Keith points to Southeastern Conference rivals Georgia and Tennessee as two of the favorites on the weekend while UT-Chattanooga and Samford could also make things interesting.
