Freshmen boost women's cross country
Holly Hackney
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Sports
The Southwest Baptist University women's cross country team has quite a season ahead after placing
third at the MIAA Conference Championships and finishing sixth at the regional meet. However, this year the team looks to be faster and stronger than ever before.
Head Coach Corey McElhaney lost one athlete to graduation and gained three strong freshmen recruits. Freshmen Karissa Fisher, Crissie Owensby, and Monica Smith signed last spring as new Bearcats.
"I think Crissie has potential
to be a top scorer for the team," said Corey McElhaney.
McElhaney also predicted improvement from Fisher, sophomore Holly Hackney, and junior Rebecca Brigance.
"Rebecca has taken huge strides to be among the top scorers for the team," McElhaney noted.
The team changed a few elements this season to become stronger and faster, including the incorporation of weight lifting and the addition of afternoon practices.
Freshman Chrissie Owensby, from Oak Park High School experienced many differences stepping up from high school to college
running.
"College running is more competitive, there are more workouts," said Owensby. "It's nice to have more than three girls on the team," said Owensby.
Owensby hopes to exceed McElhaney's expectations and has her sights set on placing well at regionals.
Brigance has an optimistic
perspective entering her third college cross country season.
"I expect the team to place at least 3rd at Conference and for us to come together
by working hard at every race," said Brigance. Individually, Brigance will stride to earn All-Academic All-American and improve her times from last year.
As the season begins, Brigance looks forward to "seeing what the team can achieve together."
The Lady 'Cats have something special this year,
"I believe this is the closest team we've ever had," said McElhaney.
The first meet of the season
will be the UCM Mule Run 5:55 p.m., Sept. 11 in Warrensburg.
third at the MIAA Conference Championships and finishing sixth at the regional meet. However, this year the team looks to be faster and stronger than ever before.
Head Coach Corey McElhaney lost one athlete to graduation and gained three strong freshmen recruits. Freshmen Karissa Fisher, Crissie Owensby, and Monica Smith signed last spring as new Bearcats.
"I think Crissie has potential
to be a top scorer for the team," said Corey McElhaney.
McElhaney also predicted improvement from Fisher, sophomore Holly Hackney, and junior Rebecca Brigance.
"Rebecca has taken huge strides to be among the top scorers for the team," McElhaney noted.
The team changed a few elements this season to become stronger and faster, including the incorporation of weight lifting and the addition of afternoon practices.
Freshman Chrissie Owensby, from Oak Park High School experienced many differences stepping up from high school to college
running.
"College running is more competitive, there are more workouts," said Owensby. "It's nice to have more than three girls on the team," said Owensby.
Owensby hopes to exceed McElhaney's expectations and has her sights set on placing well at regionals.
Brigance has an optimistic
perspective entering her third college cross country season.
"I expect the team to place at least 3rd at Conference and for us to come together
by working hard at every race," said Brigance. Individually, Brigance will stride to earn All-Academic All-American and improve her times from last year.
As the season begins, Brigance looks forward to "seeing what the team can achieve together."
The Lady 'Cats have something special this year,
"I believe this is the closest team we've ever had," said McElhaney.
The first meet of the season
will be the UCM Mule Run 5:55 p.m., Sept. 11 in Warrensburg.
Be the first to comment on this story