The Washington University men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete Saturday in the UAA championship meet. This year’s races are being held in Forest Park.
The women’s team, currently ranked 3rd in the nation, has claimed first place in each of the past four years and are expected to easily capture the title again for their 9th total UAA championship. Unfortunately for the women, three of its top harriers are battling injuries (serior Beth Herndon and juniors Kate Pentak and Tyler Mulkin). Last year’s UAA champion, Herndon, who is looking to earn all-UAA accolades for the fourth straight season, will most likely lead the talented women’s team.
The men’s team is coming off consecutive solid performances in its past two races. This race will be a huge test for the men, ranked 28th nationally, as they will be competing against two higher ranked teams in Carnegie Mellon University (ranked 19th) and New York University (ranked 3rd). The men are planning on upsetting at least one of those teams, according to cross country Coach Jeff Stiles.
“The men are realistically battling for 2nd. NYU is ranked 3rd in the country and deservedly so. If we run to potential, no matter what place we get I will be pleased. Our ultimate goal for the men is Nov. 11th as we try to qualify for NCAA’s for only the 2nd time in school history,” said Stiles.
This year’s conference race is the first important race the cross country team has hosted in the past few years. Red Alert is sponsoring the meet, which means that those in attendance wearing their Red Alert shirts have a chance to win prizes. The 6K men’s race is at 11 a.m. followed by the women’s 4k at noon at the Central Fields in Forest Park.