Cross Country to open season in Waco
8/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 26, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU men and women's cross country team will open the 2008 season at the Baylor Twilight Invitational in Waco on Friday, Aug. 29. The meet is hosted by Baylor University and will take place at the Baylor Intramural Fields. The women's 4K race begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the men's 6K race at 7 p.m.
After two weeks of preparation, second-year head coach Shawn Winget and the Horned Frogs will look to improve upon a 2007 campaign in which TCU had one runner compete at the NCAA Championships. Overall, the Horned Frogs return nine runners on the women's side, while the men's team returns seven from last fall.
"With this first meet, I expect us to compete well," said Winget. "We are going to work hard this week and leave Waco with a good effort."
Women's Team
TCU returns a plethora of experience on the women's side, including sophomore standout Tanja Ivandic who led TCU at every meet last fall on the women's side. Also back is senior Ashley Millerick. Millerick, who has had a solid preseason camp, placed third overall amongst TCU runners at the MWC Championships in 2007.
Junior Danielle Selner also returns this fall and will look to improve upon a solid outdoor track and field season, while Lisa Baity, Heidi Barr and Amber Carlisle all should be in the mix to have breakout seasons in 2008 after providing solid times last year.
Seniors Shannon Andrew, Ashley Young and Amanda Foust round out the TCU returnees and should once again be solid throughout the fall season.
Winget will welcome six newcomers into the mix this fall. All six, which includes Lilian Chevalier, Kelly Dawson, Julie Mayfield, Ellen Stow, Lauren Trapani and Allie Wyatt should provide TCU with some much needed punch in the lineup for the next few years.
With an experienced, but still young team, the Horned Frogs could be primed for a breakout year in 2008 after finishing eighth overall at the Mountain West Conference Championships last fall.
Men's Team
The TCU men's cross country program will lean on 2007 NCAA qualifier Festus Kigen to carry the team throughout most of the season. Kigen, who is from Eldoret, Kenya, should be in the hunt to win a conference championship this fall after placing 10th overall at the South Central Regional last season.
With the loss of 2007 standout Matt Manly, look for Ryan Dalrymple, Holden Hollingsworth, Andrew McDonald, Jeff Pels and Jacob Womeldorf to make more of an impact this fall after solid outings last season.
Senior Steven Solazzo adds depth to the Horned Frog lineup after sitting out last fall, while sophomore Sean Zurko could provide an added punch this season after only competing during the track and field season in 2007. Zurko could surprise people this fall as he earned all-conference honors during the outdoor track and field season.
Five newcomers will grace the TCU men's roster this season. Overall, Chad Davis, Zane Hill, Jack O'Brien, Louis Tijerina and Tim Wang will look to make a name for themselves after having solid high school careers.
Last Season In Waco
Sophomore Festus Kigen finished second overall to lead TCU at the season opening Baylor Twilight Invite.
Kigen, an Eldoret, Kenya, native, crossed the finish line in 18.01.00 at the Baylor Intramural Fields. Placing 26th was senior Matt Manly, who ran 19.28.00 on Friday.
"Festus looked great today. We still have a lot of work to do though," said distance coach Shawn Winget.
As a team, TCU placed sixth overall on the men's side, while the women posted a fifth-place finish.
Leading the way on the TCU women's side was senior Halie Bullin, who ran 15.03.00 in the 4K race. Bullin, who crossed the finish line in 24th place, was followed by Ashley Young, a junior from Lewisville, who placed 29th overall and Tanja Ivandic, who followed in 30th. Young ran 15.21.00, while Ivandic, a freshman from Fort Worth, recorded a time of 15.24.00.
Up Next
TCU will next be in action at the North Texas Season Opener on Sept. 6.
Players Mentioned
