Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Cross Country Ready to Run
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
September 3, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State cross country teams will open their seasons this Saturday in Wichita, Kan., at the Wichita Gold Classic.
Last year, the Cowboys finished 14th at the NCAA Championship. Although most would consider that a great achievement, Cowboy Head Coach Dick Weis said the team hopes to do better this year.
"We were disappointed with the outcome at nationals last year," Weis said. "We hope to do better this year."
The Cowboys return their top six runners, including Cross Country All-American Chuck Sloan.
Returning for the Cowgirls is Jenny Koch, Hanna Smedstat, Tamara Dingley and Andrene Thompson.
Cowgirls Head Coach Catrina Acosta said the team is working toward a winning season, after last year's discouraging end.
"This year the girls are a real team," Acosta said. "They work together. They support one another."
Acosta said she is looking forward to Saturday's competition, but won't put too much emphasis on its outcome.
"I think the girls will do well, but you never can tell what will happen at a first meet. Our ultimate goal is to go to nationals. Everything else that happens is incidential," Acosta said.
The Cowboys also are focusing on national competition, Weis said.
"It doesn't make a difference until the end. We want to do well, but our main concern is making it to nationals and what will happen there," Weis said.
Acosta said her women feel they need to be nationally ranked.
"It's all that counts," Acosta said.
Weis said his team realizes OSU continuously has a nationally-ranked program. "Everyone knows who we are," Weis said.
