Women's Cross Country Week That Was: Week 13
11/17/2008 12:00:00 AM
Nov. 17, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama head women's cross country coach Randy Hasenbank led the Crimson Tide through their 13th week of practice and the NCAA South Region Championships. The squad finished eighth in the meet, marking their highest finish since 1999.
The team went from not finishing last year to putting together their first top 10 finish for the first time since 2000. Sara Vaughn and Kelsey Johnson finished seventh and 12th, respectively. The outstanding duo was named to the All-South Region Team becoming the first two to earn the honor for Alabama in the same year since three made the team in 1999.
Vaughn also became the first qualifier for the NCAA Championships since Julia Hicks qualified in 2006. Johnson was just one second away from qualifying for the national meet.
"We will work or `focus' on things that we control," Hasenbank said. "We will talk about the details of the course and the best strategy or strategies. Remember our strengths. When it comes to racing you have to be confident."
Though the rest of the team's season is over until track season starts up in early January, Hasenbank will need to keep Vaughn in training. They will not have time for too much training since the NCAA Championship is just nine days away but she will try to get in one good workout towards the middle of the week.
"Sara will have no problem getting ready," Hasenbank said. "She is determined to do well in this meet. She is not a `just happy to be here' person. She is fit, healthy and motivated and I am confident that she will compete well."
The NCAA Championships will be hosted by Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. on Monday, Nov. 24.
The women's 6,000 meter race is scheduled for 11:08 a.m. CT.
