Women's Cross Country 2014

[goshox74]

After a low-key opener last week in Tulsa where the Shocks only ran a few of their younger runners, yesterday at the RAFT in August showed more of what they potentially could be this year. WSU edged Kansas St 28-29 while easily defeating Oral Roberts 16-47 in the D1 portion of the JK Gold Classic.

These Shocks were picked 5th in the pre-season MVC poll and even though it's early this is a good way to start the season! They will run again in 2 weeks at Nebraska.

JK Gold article and results - http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticl...DB_OEM_ID=7500

[1972Shocker]

Could not have had much better conditions for XC than what we had yesterday morning.

April 25th kind of weather.

[WuDrWu]

Ditto the ladies. Finishing 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 the Shocks easily defeated Northern Colorado, Air Force, UNI, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha and Creighton.

[1972Shocker]

Ditto the ladies. Finishing 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 the Shocks easily defeated Northern Colorado, Air Force, UNI, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha and Creighton.

:good:

[goshox74]

The Shockers were very impressive today at Nebraska in how easily they dominated the field. Nebraska's women were ranked 9th in the Midwest region coming in (WSU was 14th) and the Shockers put them away quite handily as well as the other D1 competition. The competition in the Valley will come from SIU, Bradley, and Illinois St in about 6 weeks but this looks to be a very solid and deep group. The good news is that they ran well in a 4k at Wichita two weeks ago and this race was a 6k. The MVC will be a 5k, the same as it will be in their next meet at Arkansas.

I would say the only missing ingredient is a big-time #1 runner that could win the MVC individual title like Tuliamuk, Nero, Johnson, etc. had in the past. If they are to contend for a Valley title it will truly be a team effort. Great job ladies, keep it rolling!

[1972Shocker]

Shocker women finish 4th at the Chili Pepper Festival hosted by the highly ranked University of Arkansas.

Good competition with the MVC Championships not all that far away. Scheduled for November 1st in Carbondale.

Two more races between now and then. The Ollie Isom Invitation in El Dorado on October 10th and the Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute on October 18th.

[goshox74]

It was a solid run for the Shockers in Arkansas even though they weren't hitting on all cylinders. Sophomore Sidney Hirsch and senior Ebeissa Nyandwi seem to be moving to the front to lead the team with as many as 5 other ladies all in a close pack behind them. Most of the MVC teams ran at Notre Dame with Bradley looking like the favorite with 4 weeks to go. Pre-season favorite SIU appears on the downslide although they have a lot of talent back from last year's championship team. WSU will run against most of these teams in two weeks at the Pre-Nationals so we will know more then. This week's meet at El Dorado is just for the B squad.

[1972Shocker]

@goshox74: what is the primary purpose of Pre-Nationals? Is it just to see where you stand going into your conference championships and hopefully beyond? Is there any sandbagging from teams so as not to reveal their full strength?

[goshox74]

It's mostly an opportunity for teams to run on the nationals course. You won't see much sandbagging because of how the NCAA cross country at large selection teams are chosen. During the regular season beginning last week, you get points for teams you beat who automatically qualify for the NCAA meet at the regionals. The pre-nationals give teams a lot of chances for points so everyone usually brings their full teams.

Not all of the top teams go to pre-nationals but I would say about half do.

[1972Shocker]

Shocker women a picked to finish 4th in the MVC XC Championships this Friday in Carbondale in the pre-meet poll of Valley coaches. However, it was a close vote between Illinois State (76) and the Lady Shocks (74) for the 3rd spot.

Bradley is favored to win both the men's and the women's championships but could receive strong challenges from SIU and ILS.

Thank goodness the unseasonably warm weather has moved on. Weather for Saturday morning in Carbondale looks to be cool (perhaps in the 40's), dry with single digit winds. Perfect for XC.

[goshox74]

Bradley looks like a strong favorite the way they have been running lately but after that it could be a toss up. If the Shocks run like they did in the mid-season they could bring home a trophy (top-2).

[1972Shocker]

The Shocker women finished a solid 4th as picked in the today at Carbondale.

http://www.mvc-sports.com/cc/news/2014-15/7513/2014-cross-country-championship/#.VFVJ5010xMs

Bradley won the 5K race as predicted in dominating fashion with only 39 points. The Shockers scored 94.

Bradley Jr. Caitlyn Busch won the race in 17:04.43

Shocker's Top 5 were:
06. So Sidney Hirsch 17:17.62 (All-Conference First Team)
07. Sr Ebiessa Nyandwi 17:14.75 (All-Conference First Team)
19. Sr Kaitlyn Mcleod 17:52.83
26. Jr Kayla Deighan 18:03.88
36. Fr Lycia Holton 18:19.45

Kudos to Shocker Sophomore Sidney Hirsh who was the Women's XC 2014 Elite 18 Award Winner. The MVC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average competing at the finals site at each of the MVC’s 18 team championships.