Friday Night Run Set For Frog Harriers
9/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 15, 2004
The TCU men's and women's cross country teams return to action on Friday when they travel to College Station to take part in the Texas A&M Invitational. The women's 5K race gets started at 6 p.m., while the gun goes off for the men's 8K race at 6:25 p.m.
"We will be running full squads this week," said first year coach Patrick Cunniff. "Everyone should be ready to go."
The Frogs will be represented by Halie Bullin, Katie Cosgrove, Elese Dawson, McKale Davis, Cassie Hostick, Mary Kinyanjui, Pattie Parker, Calandra Stewart and Katrina Zielinski on the women's side and by Houston Bolin, Johnathan Bundren, Cody Cook, David Harris, Steven Lenney, Matt Manly, Brett McKnight, J.T. Reinert, Steven Salazzo and Josh Sharon on the men's side.
"Mary (Kinyanjui) is feeling better this week," said Cunniff. "I expect her to perform well on Friday. We will also see the collegiate debut of Cassie Hostick," said Cunniff. Kinyanjui, the defending Conference USA and South Central Regional champion, was unable to finish the race in the North Texas Opener last Saturday.
Other teams competing this week include Texas (women), Rice (women), UT-Arlington, UT-San Antonio, Texas A&M Kingsville, Lamar, Texas A&M International, Northwood College, Sam Houston State, Texas State, Prairie View A&M (women), St. Mary's (women), Texas A&M Corpus Christi and the host school, Texas A&M.
"Rice, Texas and Texas A&M should all be tough on the women's side, while A&M on the men's side is very good," noted Cunniff. "There is a pretty high level of competition, especially on the women's side. Our women will have their work cut out for them.
"The goal is to continue to improve," added Cunniff. "I want to see people start to step up, appreciate what it takes to compete at this level and take steps to get there. With only six days between meets, it is going to be tough to come back and see huge improvements, so I'm looking for increased intensity and preparedness. We're looking for progress," said Cunniff.
Last season, the TCU women placed second behind Texas A&M at this meet, finishing with 58 points behind the Aggies' 35. Kinyanjui was the individual women's champion, finishing the 6K course in 21:34. The TCU men placed seventh among the 16 schools competing at the meet a year ago. Johnathan Bundren was the Frogs' top finisher, covering the 8K distance in 26:28 for 41st place overall.
