Alabama Cross Country Set to Compete in Cowboy Jamboree
9/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
This Week: Cowboy Jamboree
The University of Alabama men's and women's cross country teams travel to Stillwater, Okla., for the Cowboy Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 26. Oklahoma State University will serve as host for the meet. The women will run a 6-kilometer race beginning at 9:15 a.m. CT with the men's 8-kilometer race set for a 9:45 a.m. CT start. Both races feature Division I and non-Division I squads. Other men's and women's Division I schools entered to compete are Kansas State, Kentucky, Northern Arizona, Oklahoma State, and Oral Roberts. The Tide is coming off of wins for both the men's and women's squads at the Brooks Twilight Classic. Antibahs Kosgei was the men's top finisher, winning the meet with a 4-mile time of 19:49.75. Redshirt freshman Rachael Reddy won the women's 5-kilometer race, running 17:06.26 in her first career cross country race.
In the Rankings
The Crimson Tide women's team earned 10 points in week two of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) coaches poll released Tuesday, Sept. 22, placing four spots outside of the top 30. In the latest regional rankings, the women remained second and the men stayed put at 11th in the South Region.
19 Runners Set to Compete in Stillwater
The Crimson Tide will travel 19 athletes, nine men and 10 women, to Stillwater this weekend. Competing for the men's squad will be eight veterans and one freshman- seniors Justin Ahalt and Eric Sivill; juniors Antibahs Kosgei, Robbie Farnham-Rose, Evan Prizy and Conner Thompson; sophomores Andrew Bull and Josh Short and freshman Chris Buechner. The Alabama women will race 10 athletes who contributed to the team's first win of the season at the Brooks Twilight Classic. Seniors Rebecca Stover, Katelyn Greenleaf and Meropi Panagiotou will lead an experienced squad also comprised of juniors Hannah Waggoner and Allison Gregg; sophomores Caroline Barlow, Emily Edwards, Veronica Lyle, and Alison Ringle and redshirt freshman Rachael Reddy.
Kosgei, Reddy Reel in Weekly Awards
Following their Brooks Twilight Classic titles, Antibahs Kosgei and Rachael Reddy were recognized by the Southeastern Conference. Kosgei was named the Co-Men's Runner of the Week while Reddy picked up both Women's Runner and Women's Freshman Runner of the Week honors. Additionally, Kosgei was selected as the Division I Men's National Athlete of the Week for Cross Country by the USTFCCCA.
Head Coach Dan Waters' Outlook
"We are looking forward to competing again on Saturday after a few weeks off. The men will be running against two top-15 teams in the nation, and the women face a very talented field as well. We feel confident about the work we have put in and the progress we have made so far this season. This will be a great opportunity to find out how both of our squads stack up against some elite competiton."
Up Next
The Tide takes two weeks off before hosting the annual Crimson Classic at the Harry Pritchett Running Course on Friday, Oct. 16. The Alabama women have won the meet four years running and will attempt to defend the title for a fifth year.
Following the Tide
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaTrack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
