2008 Woodie Awards
Cross Country competes in Louisville
Will Pinkston
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Sports
The Murray State men and women's cross country teams traveled to Louisville Ky., this weekend and competed in the Greater Louisville Classic, matching up against schools ranging from Rend Lake College in Illinois to University of Mississippi and University of Texas.
Sophomore Katelyn Jones set a new personal season best in the 5k, with a time of 18:03.56, improving nearly 20 seconds from her time last weekend at the Saluki Invitational at SIU. After being named the OVC Female Runner of the Week and Pepsi Athlete of the Week last week, Jones finished 21st in the women's 5k.
"I was excited that my time for the same course this year was 33 seconds faster than last year," Jones said. "That shows that I am improving from last year."
Assistant Coach Chris England said he is excited to see how Jones will finish the season.
"Katelyn is establishing herself as a favorite to win the individual OVC cross country Championship, as well as leading the team to a top two team OVC performance," England said. "Last year, Katelyn's season started with a bang, but she ran out of gas. This year she is stronger, healthier and wiser. She is rapidly gaining momentum to peak at the OVC cross country Championships."
Murray State women runners Taylor Crawford (18:35.03), Karissa Magnusson (18:43.06), Alaina Zanin (18:54.04) and Bridget Stichnot (19:44.02) helped the team earn a 12th place position out of the 32 teams competing.
"I was pleased with my time this past weekend," Crawford said. "It has been my best time this season, but it isn't my personal record, so I know that I can do better."
Murray State freshman Jordan Nikolaisen set the best men's time for the team with a personal-best time of 27:00.29. Andrew Beckman (27:33.77), Jack Findley (27:59.34), Andrew Smithson (29:12.35) and Ryan Millard (29:57.28) also set personal bests for the season during the weekend.
Beckman, Findley and Millard all improved their personal records by at least one minute, while Theron Chalepah, coming off an illness, improved by almost 30 seconds. The team continues to follow the lead of freshman Jordan Nikolaisen, who has remained the team's top runner of the season.
Sophomore Katelyn Jones set a new personal season best in the 5k, with a time of 18:03.56, improving nearly 20 seconds from her time last weekend at the Saluki Invitational at SIU. After being named the OVC Female Runner of the Week and Pepsi Athlete of the Week last week, Jones finished 21st in the women's 5k.
"I was excited that my time for the same course this year was 33 seconds faster than last year," Jones said. "That shows that I am improving from last year."
Assistant Coach Chris England said he is excited to see how Jones will finish the season.
"Katelyn is establishing herself as a favorite to win the individual OVC cross country Championship, as well as leading the team to a top two team OVC performance," England said. "Last year, Katelyn's season started with a bang, but she ran out of gas. This year she is stronger, healthier and wiser. She is rapidly gaining momentum to peak at the OVC cross country Championships."
Murray State women runners Taylor Crawford (18:35.03), Karissa Magnusson (18:43.06), Alaina Zanin (18:54.04) and Bridget Stichnot (19:44.02) helped the team earn a 12th place position out of the 32 teams competing.
"I was pleased with my time this past weekend," Crawford said. "It has been my best time this season, but it isn't my personal record, so I know that I can do better."
Murray State freshman Jordan Nikolaisen set the best men's time for the team with a personal-best time of 27:00.29. Andrew Beckman (27:33.77), Jack Findley (27:59.34), Andrew Smithson (29:12.35) and Ryan Millard (29:57.28) also set personal bests for the season during the weekend.
Beckman, Findley and Millard all improved their personal records by at least one minute, while Theron Chalepah, coming off an illness, improved by almost 30 seconds. The team continues to follow the lead of freshman Jordan Nikolaisen, who has remained the team's top runner of the season.
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