by Emily Diekelmann
9/3/2010 1:59:27 PM
OXFORD,Ala.- Beginning their season in a familiar place, the women’s cross country team will make the short trip to Oxford, Ala. for the JSU Struts season opener hosted by Jacksonville State. The Owls are looking for their fifth consecutive victory on the course having dominated the field since 2006.
The group of eight teams participating this weekend is from all over Georgia and Alabama. Out of the nine schools that came last year, only four including the host and Kennesaw State, will be returning for another shot at the course.
The new roster features only two runners who participated in last year’s contest, Mackenzie Howe and Brittany Robinson. Howe, the lone senior on the squad, returns after a stellar 2009 campaign that saw a staggering five A-Sun runner of the week awards along with being named to the NCAA All-South Region cross country team.
Last season’s contest saw the Owls sweeping the top three spots with Howe landing the first place seat. Howe ran the course in a cool 11:07 with teammates Brittany Reilly in second at 11:50 and Kristen Gibson in third at 11:55.
Hoping to capitalize on the second place finish in the A-Sun Conference in 2009, head coach Stan Sims will be using the team’s first few contests to gauge the rest of the season.
“Everything is a training run before October 30,” Sims said. “We want to forge a racing strategy for each runner using the regular season meets. This meet will give our new people a benchmark for the training to come.”
Fresh faces join Howe and Robinson on the squad as Stephanie Sawyer, Heather Morris, Haley Carson and Alison Wald are lacing up for KSU. Carson, one of three freshmen joining the team this year, has been preparing all summer for her shot at college glory.
“I am really excited to run at the college level,” Carson said. “I worked really hard this summer and the first couple weeks of school to get ready for the new season. My legs have never been this sore in my life, but I know it will be so worth it. The nerves haven't kicked in yet, but I know tonight and Saturday morning, I will be a little nervous.”
Meet Quick Facts
Event Name: JSU Struts Season Opener
Event Date: Saturday, September 4
Host: Jacksonville State University
Location: Oxford, Ala.
Start Time: 9:00 A.M. CST
Distance: 2 mile
2009 Owl Finish, Score: 1st, 21 points
2009 Top Owl Finishers: Mackenzie Howe, 1st (11:07), Brittany Reilly, 2nd (11:50), Kristen Gibson, 3rd (11:55)
Schools Participating (8): Jacksonville State (DI, Ohio Valley Conference), Georgia State (DI, Colonial Athletic Association), Kennesaw State (DI, A-Sun), Miles College (DII, SAIC), Stillman College (DII, SAIC), West Alabama (Gulf South Conference), Georgia Southwestern (DII, Peach Belt), Southern Union Community College (Ala.)