University of Houston Athletics
Cross Country Prepares for Texas A&M Invitational
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Sept. 11, 2009
HOUSTON - The University of Houston cross country team will be competing in the Texas A&M Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Penberthy Intramural Fields.
The men will begin an 8,000-meter course at 7:45 a.m., and the women will begin a 5,000-meter course at 8:30 a.m. Saturday's meet will include teams from Baylor, LSU, Rice, SMU and Sam Houston State.
Head coach Ryan Turner is hoping the meet will provide useful preparation for individuals who did not compete last week at the Johnny Morris Cross Country Invitational. The men's team placed second, despite three of the top four runners missing the meet due to illness.
"It will be good for Anthony (Jordan) and Andres (Santaolalla) to get a meet under their belts after missing last week. We'll still be without Jesse, but that just means someone else has to step up. People learn a lot when faced with adversity," Turner said.
Turner is hoping the women's team continue their good performances, after a first placed finish in last week's Johnny Morris Invitational, despite not entering a full strength team for the upcoming meet.
"We won't be competing a full women's team this week, but we do plan on having four of our girls compete, (Starla Garcia, Kat Ducommun, Brandi Witte, & Ciera Johnson- Erica Hannemann will also run as unattached)," Turner said.
One noticeable absentee will be sophomore Stephanie Aldea.
"We're holding Stephanie out this week. Last year Stephanie ran well early, but when we got to the end of the season, when it mattered most, her legs were shot. I'm encouraging her to take a more active roll in her training & competition plan this year in hopes that together we get her running at her best when it matters most."
After competing in the Texas A&M Invitational, both teams will head to Baton Rouge, La., for the LSU Tiger XC Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Players Mentioned
