2015 Shocker Women Cross Country

[1972Shocker]

Looks like the Coach Rainbolt and Coach Hunter found them a real Gem in Rebekah Topham.

http://www.goshockers.com/news/2015/9/22/XC_0922153305.aspx

Regarding her recruitment apparently her family ties to Wichita were quite helpful:

Topham’s commitment to WSU caused a minor stir in Iowa during her well-chronicled career as a home-schooled student who ran for Griswold High. She chose WSU over Iowa State, in part because of family. She was born in Wichita and lived here until age 4 before moving to Iowa. Around 10 family members from Wichita watched her run Saturday (at the JK Gold Classic).

“I chose Wichita State mostly because of the coaches,” she said. “They’re easy to get along with and super nice. Most important, I liked how they coach.”

WSU cross country Kirk Hunter is thrilled family connections helped him land Topham.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

[1972Shocker]

Pretty solid 4th place finish by the Lady Shockers at the University of Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival especially considering their starting position that put then at a disadvantage.

http://www.goshockers.com/news/2015/10/3/XC_1003153136.aspx

[1972Shocker]

The first Valley titles are up for grabs with today's MVC Cross Country Championships in Evansville, IN. Sounds like the races will be very competitive for both the men and the women but especially in the men's race. The Shocker men are picked 3rd and the Shocker women are picked 2nd.

http://www.goshockers.com/news/2015/10/30/XC_1030152054.aspx

The men's 8k race starts at 10:30a followed by the women's 5K race at 11:30p. Looks like the weather will be cloudy with temps in the 50's and a chance of occasional light rain and with winds 8-9 mph. As long as their is not too much rain and the footing remains solid that sounds like pretty good conditions for XC.

[1972Shocker]

The Shocker men finished 5th last year and the Shocker Women finished 4th so the Shocks have a good opportunity this year to get the All Sports competition off to a strong start if they can live up to their pre-race expectations of a 3rd and 2nd place finish respectively.

Bradley is favored to win both races but that will probably be the high point of Bradley's All-Sport efforts this year along with perhaps a men's soccer title.

[1972Shocker]

2015 MVC XC Championships Live Stats

[1972Shocker]

Shocker Finishers;

7th - Sydney Hirsch
8th - Rebecca Topham
16th - Kayla Deighan
18th - Lycia Hollon
27th - Emilea Finley

Not sure if that will be good enough for the projected 2nd place finish or not. Looks a bit iffy.

Looks to me like Illinois State came in at 101 points so the Shocks should finish 2nd. But like Doc said for the men no guarantees.

[1972Shocker]

Official Results

1. Bradley - 54
2. Wichita State - 76
3. Illinois State - 94
4. Loyola - 102
5. Indiana State - 107
6. Drake - 122
7. Northern Iowa - 169
8. Missouri State - 247
9. Southern Illinois - 294
10. Evansville - 305

As with the men the Shocker women's balance and depth carried them this year.

[WuDrWu]

Pretty sure you're dead on @1972Shocker:. Looks like a 2nd place finish for sure. Nice improvement over last year for both programs. May also bode well for T&F where distance depth has been lacking.

I realize it's early, but some program (probably just ISUr) is going to have to go some to wrestle the AST away from the Shocks.

Tennis and golf will be strong. Volleyball looks good, men's basketball obviously. I think baseball is going to be really good. Softball should be solid. You know T&F will be top 3 or better both inside and outside and I think women's basketball is going to surprise a little. Pretty much aren't any weaklings to be found..

[1972Shocker]

I realize it's early, but some program (probably just ISUr) is going to have to go some to wrestle the AST away from the Shocks.

Tennis and golf will be strong. Volleyball looks good, men's basketball obviously. I think baseball is going to be really good. Softball should be solid. You know T&F will be top 3 or better both inside and outside and I think women's basketball is going to surprise a little. Pretty much aren't any weaklings to be found..

Total agree with your assessment Doc. Right on, right on, right on!

Our primary competition may very wll be ouselves. Can we break the recordd AST average of 2.13 the Shocks established in 2013-14? That won't be easy by any means but we may actually have a shot at that this year.

[1972Shocker]

Bradley had 4 seniors among their top 5 runners while the Shocks had only 1 senior, Kayla Deighan among their top 5. Also 2 of the 3 runners for Bradley who were not among there top 5 runners were also seniors whereas the Shocks had a junior and 2 sophomores in the 3 non-scoring positions.

The bottom line is that Bradley returns 2 of their top 8 runners. The Shocks return 7 of their top 8 runners.

[1972Shocker]

These days I don't think there are too many observers that would argue that female athletes aren't tough. A really good example of that is Shocker junior cross country runner Sidney Hirsch. Not only does she continue to run and lead her Shocker team while dealing with plantar fasciitis but she is doing that in sport that gets very little in the way of fan fare or scholarship money. I really admire these kind of STUDENT-athletes.

http://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article44474295.html

[1972Shocker]

Good effort today by the Shocker XC women. Ranked 9th in the region but finished 8th.

http://www.goshockers.com/news/2015/11/13/XC_1113155942.aspx