Beaver runners win again
Cross country wins third invite for first time in program history, Pac-10s up next for runners
Sean McLean
Issue date: 10/24/06 Section: Sports
Led by sophomore Holly Thomson's fifth place finish, Oregon State cross country continued its strongest season with a team victory at the Beaver Classic last weekend.
Thomson, who finished the 6,000-meter course at Avery Park in 22:46, helped give the Beavers a team score of 57, which was 17 points ahead of Corban College from Salem. Other schools racing were Mt. Hood Community College, Willamette and Southwest Oregon Community College.
Sophomore Rebecca Mishler also concluded the race with a top ten performance (eighth, 23:13).
It was the third team victory of the season and marks the first time in school history that Oregon State has won three team invitational titles in a season.
"I was super pleased, I loved the way the team is handling themselves heading into races," coach Kelly Sullivan said. "They go into races with a plan and they stick to it. We can now be competitive in this race compared to a couple years ago."
Although Thomson was the top finisher in the team standings, two other Beavers that ran unattached had big performances as well. Senior Katie Dye (third, 22:36) and freshman Abby Chesimet (fourth, 22:44), who are both redshirting this year, finished their 2006 season on a positive note. Unattached runner Camille Herron won the individual title with a time of 21:45.
"It was a win-win situation, and going into the Pac-10 meet will be a win-win situation as well," Sullivan said. "We're gaining ground in experience, and as a coach it's good to know that they will always go out there and give it their best."
Other Oregon State finishers at the Beaver Classic were senior Julie Garcia (11th, 23:22), sophomore Jenny O'Connor (16th, 23:44), junior Chelsea Pullen (17th, 23:47), freshman Katelyn Van Brunt (19th, 24:03), and sophomore Elise Aschwanden (24th, 24:30). In the field of 56 runners, they all finished in the upper echelon.
The Beavers' top runners had the weekend off to prepare for the Pac-10 Championships this weekend in Palo Alto, Calif. Representing Oregon State at the meet will be juniors Nicole Crawford, Ashley Francis, Neoma Palmer, Jean-Marie Peterson, and Kaitlin Poggi - sophomores Lauren Denfeld and Lorene Young and freshmen Melissa Horton and Hayley Oveson.
With a remarkable third season coming to a close this upcoming weekend, Sullivan believes that this season was a success, regardless of how the team places at the Pac-10 Championships.
"If we race hard and if we race to our potential, then that's what matters the most," Sullivan said. "Just on how we've already ran this year, we have built on last year's success. We have no control in the race, from fourth to ninth we can slip anywhere in those slots, but I know we've already built on last year and it's been a great season."
Thomson, who finished the 6,000-meter course at Avery Park in 22:46, helped give the Beavers a team score of 57, which was 17 points ahead of Corban College from Salem. Other schools racing were Mt. Hood Community College, Willamette and Southwest Oregon Community College.
Sophomore Rebecca Mishler also concluded the race with a top ten performance (eighth, 23:13).
It was the third team victory of the season and marks the first time in school history that Oregon State has won three team invitational titles in a season.
"I was super pleased, I loved the way the team is handling themselves heading into races," coach Kelly Sullivan said. "They go into races with a plan and they stick to it. We can now be competitive in this race compared to a couple years ago."
Although Thomson was the top finisher in the team standings, two other Beavers that ran unattached had big performances as well. Senior Katie Dye (third, 22:36) and freshman Abby Chesimet (fourth, 22:44), who are both redshirting this year, finished their 2006 season on a positive note. Unattached runner Camille Herron won the individual title with a time of 21:45.
"It was a win-win situation, and going into the Pac-10 meet will be a win-win situation as well," Sullivan said. "We're gaining ground in experience, and as a coach it's good to know that they will always go out there and give it their best."
Other Oregon State finishers at the Beaver Classic were senior Julie Garcia (11th, 23:22), sophomore Jenny O'Connor (16th, 23:44), junior Chelsea Pullen (17th, 23:47), freshman Katelyn Van Brunt (19th, 24:03), and sophomore Elise Aschwanden (24th, 24:30). In the field of 56 runners, they all finished in the upper echelon.
The Beavers' top runners had the weekend off to prepare for the Pac-10 Championships this weekend in Palo Alto, Calif. Representing Oregon State at the meet will be juniors Nicole Crawford, Ashley Francis, Neoma Palmer, Jean-Marie Peterson, and Kaitlin Poggi - sophomores Lauren Denfeld and Lorene Young and freshmen Melissa Horton and Hayley Oveson.
With a remarkable third season coming to a close this upcoming weekend, Sullivan believes that this season was a success, regardless of how the team places at the Pac-10 Championships.
"If we race hard and if we race to our potential, then that's what matters the most," Sullivan said. "Just on how we've already ran this year, we have built on last year's success. We have no control in the race, from fourth to ninth we can slip anywhere in those slots, but I know we've already built on last year and it's been a great season."
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.