Oct. 11, 2000

WSU Cross Country Travels to Iowa for NCAA Pre Meet

Iowa State Memorial Cross Country Classic,
Iowa State University, Ames Iowa

Saturday, October 14
10:30 a.m. CST Men's 10,000 meter race
11:30 a.m. CST Women's 6,000 meter race

THIS WEEK: The WSU men's and women's cross country teams will travel to the Midwest to compete in the 28th annual Iowa State Memorial Cross Country Classic Saturday. The men's 10,000 meter race will begin at 10:30 a.m., and the women will run a 6,000 meter course beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Iowa State University Cross Country Course. The meet will feature Pac-10 rivals Oregon, Stanford, Arizona and Arizona State, as well as teams from Colorado, Notre Dame, Duke and Penn State. The meet is run on the same course the NCAA Championships will be held at November 20. 'This meet will give us an excellent preview of what NCAA's will be like,' WSU Coach James Li said.

LAST WEEK: Both the men's and women's teams had a weekend off from competition following the Big Cross Invitational September 30. 'This week gave us a chance to get some good training in, as well as get our team healthy,' Li said. 'Our teams should do very well this weekend.' The only WSU runner not competing Saturday is sophomore Ian Johnson, who is recovering from a case of mononucleosis. Li said Johnson will most likely redshirt this season.

WSU WOMEN: Junior Ryan Gilmore has led the WSU women's team each of the last three races. Joining Gilmore as the top Cougar runners are seniors Megan Maynard and Alishia Booterbaugh, and sophomore Greta Johnson. Li said junior Jenny Filipy and freshmen Anna Blue and Ana Cabrera are also very close to being at the top level.

WSU MEN: Junior Oscar Franco-Parra continues to lead the Cougar men's team. He has been the team's top finisher in all five races this year. Also running well have been sophomores Kyle Barker and Jon Welsh, and junior Scott Johnson. Freshman Jim Neeway is beginning to emerge as the team's fifth runner this season.

NEXT WEEK: The Cougars have another weekend off from competition to prepare for the Pac-10 Championships, which will take place Saturday, October 28, at Lincoln Park in Seattle.