Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
Big 12 Championship
CU Sweeps Big 12 Cross Country
October 26, 2007 | Cross Country
For the ninth straight year, the
The CU men have now won all 12 titles and the women have won 11 of 12, with the teams sharing the podium for the ninth straight year. All 23 titles have come under coach Mark Wetmore, who is in his 13th year leading the Colorado cross country and track and field programs.
Brent Vaughn also took the men's individual crown, snapping a three-year drought since a CU male has won the title, as the last was Dathan Ritzenhein in 2003. The CU men have now won eight of 12 individual conference titles. Vaughn finished the 8k loop in 24:22.30.
“I wasn't feeling that great in the beginning, so I just kind of hung around for a little bit,” Vaughn said. “I think I took the lead at about the 4k and started to push the pace slowly. I was just hoping that people would drop and it really worked out well for me today.
“It feels great to be associated with some of the guys who have won before me from CU because I looked up to them. To have the ability to come out and run like this just feels great.”
The men, who are ranked fifth in the nation, scored 34 points, beating runner-up
The 15th-ranked women won with 59 points, besting 14th-ranked Texas Tech by 24 points (83). Jenny Barringer led the women with a second-place finish, her third straight runner-up effort in the Big 12 Championships.
“It was a wonderful run for Vaughn to win the title,” Wetmore said. “It's been a while since we have had a CU athlete win this thing.”
Kenyon Neuman recorded his best finish by taking second overall. He finished in 24:36.50, just barely outrunning
“It was a great run for Kenyon Neuman,” Wetmore said. “I don't know where he was a year ago here, but that was a very big improvement.”
Stephen Pifer improved on his performance last season by placing fourth overall. He completed the race in 24:46.30 and ahead of the 2006 champion Colby Wissel (
Pete Janson was the fourth scorer for CU to cross the finish and was 11th overall. He recorded a mark of 25:04.30. It was he big career finish as the highest he has placed at Big 12s was 23rd in 2005. Bradley Harkrader rounded out CU's score by taking 16th. He finished in 25:16.30.
“It was a solid run for Stephen,” Wetmore said. “He was a little impetuous early in the race. The back guys did their job. This team title isn't won by the No. 1 runner, its won by the No. 5 runner.”
Other CU runners included Richard Medina (17th, 25:17.40), Chris Pannone (24th, 25:33.85), Matt Tebo (30th, 25:53.39) and Rob Thayer (64th, 26:43.90).
“I'm very happy with the men; it's exactly what I hoped for and maybe a little better,” Wetmore said. “I think our men ran the way that I thought and the good opponents ran the way that I thought, but the rest of the scores across the board were lower than what I thought. So maybe it wasn't as deep as I expected or maybe these three teams are a little better. Never the less, our guys ran well.”
Barringer ran with the lead pack the whole race and placed second for her third straight year with a mark of 19:29.30. She came in behind Sally Kipyego, from Texas Tech, who won in 19:22.50. Barringer had lost to Sally three times last year; twice by 45 seconds and then at NCAAs by 28 seconds. This time the gap was only by seven seconds and showed a huge improvement over the summer..
“She is really tough,” Barringer said. “The last k I just felt like I could do it. It was the first I have been in a cross race with her and that I was able to think, ?Man, I can get her'. That kind of feeling is really exciting but I want more and I am wanting more.”
Erin Marston was CU's No. 2 racer, placing sixth overall in 20:53.10. In doing so, the walk-on from Parker,
“It feels awesome,” Marston said. “I'm just so psyched about it. I was already further in the race at the beginning than I was last year. I was more confident and calm today. It was my last chance to race at Big 12's and I was excited to get to do it and race better than last year.”
“She had what I think is the best race of her career at her last Big 12 Championship,” assistant coach Heather Burroughs said. “She was a really big part of our championship title. She is a walk-on turned all-conference runner and really has an excellent work ethic and is a big part of our team. She is the only senior and the team captain.”
Sara Vaughn was eighth to cross the finish and improved on her previous Big 12 best finish of 53rd in 2005. Vaughn was a redshirt last season. She finished in 20:54.00. Vaughn also earned her first career Big 12 honor.
Laura Thweatt just missed the top-15 but took 18th overall in 21:34.10. Aislinn Ryan, who was running in her first CU race of the season, was 25th overall. She completed the 6k loop in 21:51.70.
“I've very happy with the women,” Wetmore said. “It was a good run for Jenny. She has proved that she has taken a huge step in a year. It was a good run for Sara Vaughn, for someone who has been out for so long. It was an excellent run for Erin Marston and Laura Thweatt. And once again, a title isn't won by the winner. I think Texas Tech was beating us at first, second and third, but it was won by the fifth run.”
Other Buffs finishing the race were Jen Hooper (39th, 22:10.25), Anna Chase (52nd, 22:34.50), Allison Sawyer (55th, 22:39.15) and Allison Eckert (61st, 22:50.25).
The Buffs will be back in action on Nov. 10 for NCAA regional action. The mountain regional will take place in
2007 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rawis Golf Course (
MEN'S 8K TEAM SCORES
1.
MEN'S FINISHERS (Top 15):
1. Brent Vaughn, CU, 24:22.30; 2. Kenyon Neuman, CU, 24:36.50; 3. Ryan Vail, OSU, 24:36.80; 4. Stephen Pifer, CU, 24:36.30; 5. Colby Wissel, KU, 24:51.05; 6. Erik Stanley, UT, 24:53.05; 7. Kyle Miller, UT, 24:55.20; 8. David Chirchir, OSU, 25:02.60; 9.
Other CU Finishers: 16. Bradley Harkrader, 25:16.30; 17. Richard Medina, 25:17.40; 24. Chris Pannone, 25:33.85; 33. Matt Tebo, 25:53.30.
WOMEN'S 6K TEAM SCORES
1.
WOMEN'S FINISHERS (Top 15):
1. Sally Kipyego, TTU, 19:22.50; 2. Jenny Barringer, CU, 19:29.30; 3. Lisa Koll, ISU, 20:11.15; 4. Irene Kimaiyo, TTU, 20:28.15. 5. Grace Kemmey, ISU, 20:32.25; 6. Erin Marsten, CU, 20:53.10; 7. Jessica Eldridge, OU, 20:54.00; 8. Sara Vaughn, CU, 20:56.95; 9. Lara Crofford, NU, 20:59.15; 10. Lauren Hagans, BU, 21:00.70; 11. Christina Munoz, TAMU, 21:18.80; 12. Sarah Balfour, TAMU, 21:20.00; 13. Liliani Mendez, KSU, 21:21.10; 14. Ari Goldstein, NU, 21:23.90; 15. Mihaela Susa, OSU, 21:24.70
Other CU Finishers: 18. Laura Thweatt, 21:34.10; 25. Aislinn Ryan, 21:51.70; 39. Jen Hooper, 22:10.25; 52. Anna Chase, 22:34.50; 55. Allison Sawyer, 22:39.15. 61. Allison Eckert, 22:50.25
Players Mentioned
