Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Harriers To Head South Instead Of North
September 15, 1999 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Sept. 15, 1999
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State women's cross country team, originally scheduled to run its second meet of the 1999 season in Illinois this weekend, has decided to run in the SMU Cross Country Invitational instead.
"I just didn't think we were ready to run at the Illinois Invitational," said Coach Catrina Acosta. "This meet at SMU is definitely going to be more beneficial to the team at this point in the season. My girls are still going to get some good experience running in a big meet."
The SMU Invitational, which will be held in Dallas on Saturday, Sept. 18, is expected to have 200 runners participating.
"This meet was originally supposed to be pretty small, which is why were were going to go. But now they've added a citizens race and a kids race, on top of the college meets. It's going to be a zoo," Acosta said.
Texas Christian University and the University of Texas are among many other Division I schools making an appearance at the meet.
"There are going to be a lot of teams from the southern portion of the conference there. We need to know who we can beat and this is going to let us find that out.
"TCU's Gladys Keitany is going to give Hanna (Smedstad) some real competition. It's going to be an interesting fight because Gladys has gotten a lot better since last year. I want Hanna to be tough," Acosta said.
The Cowgirls will compete in the 5,000m run at 9:00 Saturday morning.
"This course is flat and fast, and it is going to be hot out there. I think this kind of flat course is more suited for our training. All the important meets of the season - Big 12, District V, NCAA nationals - are going to be held on flat courses.
"October is approaching quickly and that is the time when we have to win. This weekend, we're going to go unto some real competition," Acosta said.
