TCU Men Take Team Title At SWT Cross Country Invitational
10/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | General
Lagat covered the 8,000-meter course in 24 minutes, 35 seconds, while earning a victory for the second consecutive week and the fourth time this season. Last week, Lagat was the individual champion at the Texas A&M Invitational but this week's win highlighted a greatly improved performance for TCU.
"This is just what we needed after a disappointing performance last week," said TCU assistant coach Dan Waters. "David continues to run well, but it was great to see Adrian Martinez come back strong and Ryan Womack's performance was very encouraging. As a group, it's probably our strongest men's performance of the season."
The Horned Frogs placed three runners in the top 10 of the individual standings with seniors Adrian Martinez (third, 25:35) and Ryan Womack (eighth, 26:29) joining Lagat near the front of the pack. Martinez returned to action after missing last week's race with an illness and his presence keyed the Horned Frogs to another strong team finish. Meanwhile, Womack put together his finest performance of the season to solidify TCU's team title.
Senior Jared Pope was TCU's fourth top 20 finisher, placing 15th in a time of 27:19. Other TCU competitors were junior Adam Helm (21st, 27:39), senior Patrick Belmont (22nd, 27:40) and freshman Justin Speer (29th, 28:20).
TCU's women's team sat out the competition, but continues its season Saturday afternoon at the University of Arkansas Chili Pepper Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Southwest Texas Invitational -- Oct. 15
San Marcos, Texas
Men's Race (8,000 meters)
Team Standings
1. TCU 39; 2. SWT 52; 3. SMU 54; 4. North Texas 65; 5. Prairie View A&M 147.
Top Individual: David Lagat, TCU, 24:35.
Individual Standings
1. David Lagat, TCU, 24:35; 2. Paul Ndachi, UNT, 24:40; 3. Adrian Martinez, TCU, 25:35; 4. Sebastian Villalva, Unattached, 26:10; 5. Ben Dawson, Unattached, 26:15; 6. Randy Arias, SWT, 26:24; 7. Ephraim Mokgokhu, SMU, 26:28; 8. Ryan Womack, TCU, 26:29; 9. Mike Blevins, UNT, 26:40; 10. Chris Arriola, SWT, 26:55.
Other TCU competitors: 15. Jared Pope, 27:19; 21. Adam Helm, 27:39; 22. Patrick Belmont, 27:40; 29. Justin Speer, 28:20.
