Finally, we will get to see the Red Raiders kick off the season in Cross Country. The first meet is a good way to start the year - a low-key meet that is a lot more about training at altitude the times anyone registers in Ruidoso. The teams will be running at altitude and the only outside competition is Wayland, who will be far less competitive on the women's side since their 2 best runners are now Red Raiders (Purity Biwott and Caroline Karunde). Expect to see everyone run (except for 1-2 runners still awaiting approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse.)
WOMEN - this could be a great team, possibly ever better than last year's squad, which was the best team in Red Raider history. Here is my 12 runners to watch:
Lillian Badaru
Purity Biwott - new
Gladys Kipsang
Caroline Karunde - new
Michelle Guzman
Winrose Karunde - new
Meagan Willingham - new
Kaci Westervelt
Katherine Priebe
Kayla Sayegh
Shannon Jackson
Kearci Jobe
MEN - this team is much deeper and better than 2008, when it placed 9th at conference. I already thought it was a team that could move into the top 6 at conference, due to the addition of 2 kids who redshirted in 2008 (Silas Kemboi and Zach Quinones), plus the natural maturing of the other returnees and virtually everyone returns from last year. Now, it looks like Tech will add a new runner, Thomas Cattin-Masson from France, and this team looks better than ever. Could the Frenchman be the extra person that pushes this team into a top 4 conference finish? Not sure, but it certainly is interesting to consider!
Twelve to watch:
Gilbert Limo
Silas Kemboi - returning from RS year
Cory Higgins
Zach Dawson
Zach Quinones - returning from RS year
Logan Culotta
Nathan Milles
David Boston
Jeremy Kight
Sam Bushong - new
Valentino Julien - new
Thomas Cattin-Masson - new, I found some really good times for this kid, including a 3:45 in the 1500. Not sure when he will gain eligibility - therefore, you may not see him in the results from tomorrow's meet, although he will be training with the team in Ruidoso.
The team will spend 3-4 days at altitude - I think they will probably drive to Ruidoso tonight (Thursday) and run the race tomorrow and then train HARD at altitude Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, before returning to Lubbock.
WOMEN - this could be a great team, possibly ever better than last year's squad, which was the best team in Red Raider history. Here is my 12 runners to watch:
Lillian Badaru
Purity Biwott - new
Gladys Kipsang
Caroline Karunde - new
Michelle Guzman
Winrose Karunde - new
Meagan Willingham - new
Kaci Westervelt
Katherine Priebe
Kayla Sayegh
Shannon Jackson
Kearci Jobe
MEN - this team is much deeper and better than 2008, when it placed 9th at conference. I already thought it was a team that could move into the top 6 at conference, due to the addition of 2 kids who redshirted in 2008 (Silas Kemboi and Zach Quinones), plus the natural maturing of the other returnees and virtually everyone returns from last year. Now, it looks like Tech will add a new runner, Thomas Cattin-Masson from France, and this team looks better than ever. Could the Frenchman be the extra person that pushes this team into a top 4 conference finish? Not sure, but it certainly is interesting to consider!
Twelve to watch:
Gilbert Limo
Silas Kemboi - returning from RS year
Cory Higgins
Zach Dawson
Zach Quinones - returning from RS year
Logan Culotta
Nathan Milles
David Boston
Jeremy Kight
Sam Bushong - new
Valentino Julien - new
Thomas Cattin-Masson - new, I found some really good times for this kid, including a 3:45 in the 1500. Not sure when he will gain eligibility - therefore, you may not see him in the results from tomorrow's meet, although he will be training with the team in Ruidoso.
The team will spend 3-4 days at altitude - I think they will probably drive to Ruidoso tonight (Thursday) and run the race tomorrow and then train HARD at altitude Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, before returning to Lubbock.
