UNT Invitational 2006
September 9.2006
One Year More and One Year Less
But Somehow Right on Time
Baylor Wins the 29th Annual UNT Invitational
Last year, Baylor Coach Todd Harbor made an early decision to redshirt several injured runners of the men's team. The plan was to construct a competitive force in the Big 12 for the 2006 season. His plan just may pay off.
The Eagle Point Cross Country Course spread broadly under overcast skies waiting for the Baylor men to initiate the plan. Rob Morrow was one of the senior redshirts (one year more) who waited and prepared for this year. He returned in style, winning the North Texas Invitational with a sub 20 minute 4 mile. Morrow initially did not run alone as two teammates helped set the pace early. Jacob Jones initially led a three man pack as they approached the one and three quarter mile mark. JJ was Baylor's number one at the 2005 Big 12, and it did not appear that he wanted to relinquish his position to the returning seniors. Nevertheless, before two and one-half miles, Morrow took the lead. Jones would finish 2nd. Redshirt Mitch Sanders followed Jones across the finish line just 8 seconds behind. Hinojosa and the impressive freshman Ben Haby rounded out the scoring just missing perfection by one place. Jordan Hiller also finished in t he top 10 for Baylor. Redshirt Bo Price did not run. If he returns healthy, Baylor men will upset a few in the Big 12.
The Baylor women were probably the big draw. Nichole Jones finished high school early (one year less) to join Baylor. She is already mature enough to be one of their team leaders. Her 10:53.85 first place result easily makes a top ten finish at the Big 12 thinkable. Within the first quarter mile the women set up a wall of Bears as they approached the three star hotel in their path. Nichole Jones, however powered through to the end. Baylor would go on to place six in the top ten and all six in front of their rival OSU. Lyndsy Bedell finished second and looked impressive. Freshman Loren Hodges also showed that she could be a big reason why Baylor might look at first or second in their conference meet. Hagans (6th) and Ortega (8th) are back from scoring for last year's 3rd place Big 12 team. Senior transfer Ruth Waller placed seventh and finished the scoring for the women. If Erin Bedell returns, it could mean nationals.
OSU sent their women's B Team to the meet. They arrived in an upscale team bus painted specifically for OSU. Swedish Junior Kim Blomkvist finished well claiming her second top ten finish this year. Her team took third overall.
The TCU men were led by Matt Manley who finished ninth. The rest of the team spent most of the race in a pack led by Steven Solazzo. Coach Eric Heinz is in his first year at TCU, but he made an experienced coaching decision to allow freshman Festus Kigen from Kenya to rest due to minor back soreness. Ultimately, Coach Heinz believes Kigen will be another contender for nationals replacing TCU's star Kip Kangogo. The TCU women were second only to Baylor.
TCU's women were second to Baylor. Although Coach Heinz expressed some disappointment for their start, Sr. Calandra Stewart (3rd) and Fr. Carlene Mayfield (5th) showed that the TCU women mean business this year in the Mountain West.
UNT's men's team has undergone a major transformation since last year. Head coach Rick Watkins and new assistant coach Dr. Robert Vaughn plan to launch their own building campaign, but today their work was divided as they oversaw both the meet and the mean green. All-Sunbelt Conference performer and 3000m Sunbelt Steeplechase champion Frank Ngeno took eighth while Billy Giano and Josh Rogers paced each other and remained close behind Ngeno to finish two and three in UNT's scoring. UNT's fourth runner was able to out sprint TCU's fifth to ensure UNT snared at least a tie with TCU. Both teams were reminded once again that the fourth and fifth runner do make a difference in team scoring.
Sophomore Michelle Gallegos finished first for UNT women followed by senior Jill Brennan.
Before the men's race, Coach John Sauerhage of UTA stated he would have his complete men's team when UTA travels to the OSU Jamboree September 30, 2006. That will make a difference as they prepare for the Southland. A bright note for the UTA men's team at Eagle Point was seeing Jody Broccoli-Hickey run a personal best and place fifth.
Two time All Southland Junior Jodi Hulet paced the UTA women and earned 9th place.
UCA Coach Richard Martin was glad to see his UCA Bears' conference foe UTA at the meet as UCA seeks to make a transition from The Gulf States Conference. Sophmore Danny McBride finished in seventh place, a mere one second behind Broccoli-Hickey. All-Gulf South Conference So. Luis Flores finished second for the UCA team.
The Sugar Bear's best female Junior Lauren Merritt (4th at last weeks ASU Invitational) was unable to compete at UNT but she was present to cheer on her teammates and complete a little homework before the race. Junior Whitney Welch was UCA's top finisher.
Coach Watkins of UNT was happy that the overcast skies did not lead to rain during the race, and yet provided a cooler temperature in which to run. The finished races provided each coach with an opportunity to evaluate and help each of their runners improve before their various conference meets.
Brad L. Cooper
Contributing Reporter