Distance runners travel to North Texas
9/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 3, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU cross country program will continue its 2008 season on Saturday morning at the 31st annual North Texas Opener in Denton.
Start time for the men's 8K race is set for 9 a.m., while the women's 5K will follow at 9:30 a.m. from the Eagle Point Cross Country Course.
"I want to see the guys get after it and really compete for an entire race this weekend," said distance coach Shawn Winget. "On the girls side, I just want to see them get out and take another step this week after having a solid start to the season in Waco."
Last Time Out
Festus Kigen finished third overall on the men's side to lead TCU at the Baylor Twilight Invitational last Friday night.
Kigen, a 2007 NCAA qualifier, clocked a time of 18:40.93 at the Baylor Intramural Fields to finish in third-place in the 6K race.
On the women's side, Tanja Ivandic led the Purple and White, crossing the finish line with a time of 14:43.76. The Fort Worth native posted a 15th-place finish in Waco last Friday night. She was followed by Asley Millerick who placed 21st overall with a time of 15:09.45, while junior Lisa Baity clocked a 25th-place finish.
Freshman Kelly Dawson had a strong showing in her first collegiate outing, taking 28th-place. She was followed by junior Dani Selner who placed 31st overall. Finally, freshman Allie Wyatt and senior Shannon Andrew crossed the finish line in 37th and 39th overall, respectively.
Mountain West Conference Success Early
Entering this weekend, TCU has claimed the top seven times in the Mountain West for the men's 6K. Junior Festus Kigen leads all runners with a time of 18:40:93.
On the women's side, sophomore Tanja Ivandic leads the conference in the women's 4K with a season-opening time of 14:43.76. Her mark is the fastest time recorded by a Horned Frog since 2006 in the 4K. Right behind the Fort Worth native is senior Ashley Millerick at No. 4 with a time of 15:09.45.
Follow The Horned Frogs
Fans not able to attend this week's meet in Denton can follow the meet by logging onto www.gofrogs.com. Results will be posted following the men's and women's race.
Familiar Faces Leading The Way Under Winget
The Purple and White were led on the women's side by a familiar name this past weekend with Tanja Ivandic paving the way for the sixth-consecutive meet. The sophomore has now led TCU in every meet dating back to Sept. 15, 2007.
On the men's side, Festus Kigen, a Kenya native, has now carried the Horned Frog men for an impressive nine-consecutive meets, including the NCAA Championships last fall.
Last Year In Denton
he TCU women's cross country teams earned a first-place finish, while the men placed third overall at the 2007 edition of the North Texas Invitational.
Overall, TCU had five runners place in the top-10, led by Festus Kigen, who won the men's 8K race.
On the women's side, TCU accumulated 33 points to overtake Northwood for first place on the day.
2008 Preview
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.
Up Next
TCU will have almost a month off before traveling to Stillwater, Okla., for the Cowboy Jamboree on Oct. 4.
Players Mentioned
