UH Cross Country Sets Sights On Season Opener
8/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Aug. 31, 2011
HOUSTON - The University of Houston cross country team's will look to continue its streak of successful home openers, Friday at 6:45 p.m., when the Cougars host the Johnny Morriss UH Invitational. Due to construction on the UH Intramural Fields the meet will be temporarily moved to Buffalo Bayou Park, across from St. Thomas High School. Nine teams make up the field, including the University of Texas and Rice.
"The first meet of the year is an opportunity for our team to shake some summer rust off their legs," said head cross country coach Ryan Turner. "I don't worry too much about how fast we run, but I care a lot about how hard we compete. I think the team understands that anytime UT and Rice show up to race we need to bring our best."
Last season the women took second in the meet, to 2010 NCAA qualifier Texas, after winning the meet three consecutive years. The UT women enter this year's race ranked No. 1 in the South Central Region Rankings. The men took third in the season opener.
Ten newcomers, including two athletes coming off redshirt seasons on the men's team, will join a solid core of upper classmen on the men's and women's teams. For the women, Houston will return Kathryn Ducommun, Megan Munoz and Starla Garcia, three top-20 performers from last season's opener.
The core will consist of three seniors, one junior and three sophomores to lead the way for the squad's four incoming freshmen, Haili Beam, Taylor Beer, Jamie Johnson, and Alexis Vick. On the men's side, senior Nate Pineda finished third a year ago at the home classic with junior David Smith barely trailing him in eighth. Turner looks for seniors Anthony Jordan and Pineda along with sophomore Smith to step up as leaders of the team.
This year's men crew features six returners and five newcomers, including Eastern Kentucky transfer Wesley Ruttoh. Ruttoh, 2009 NCAA national qualifier was named OVC Runner of the Year after winning the OVC Cross Country Championships with a time of 25:39.24. He also finished second at the Southeast Regional Championships, covering the 10K course in a time of 30:04.46, defeating the reigning ACC and Big East champions.
The women will run a 3,200m course at Buffalo Bayou Park slated to start at 6:45 p.m. The men's 4,800m race is set for 7:15 p.m.
Jasmine Trier: Former cross country runner Jasmine Trier will compete in the Miss Texas USA beauty pageant Sunday Sept. 4, at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel. Trier will be among a field of 123 contestants in her first pageant. For more information visit www.misstexasusa.com
Johnny Morriss UH Invitational Field
Houston (men & women)
Rice (women only)
Houston Baptist (men & women)
Lamar (men & women)
Prairie View A&M (men & women)
Sam Houston (men & women)
Texas (women only)
Texas (women only)
Texas Southern (men & women)
Players Mentioned
