Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Head To NCAA Regional This Week
November 05, 2007 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
By Bryan Karns
The Oklahoma State Cowgirl cross country team has had its share of ups and downs this season, from early top-10 finishes at the Boston College and Notre Dame Invitationals to the loss of two of their top runners for postseason competition. However, as he wraps up his fifth season at the helm of Cowgirl cross country, head coach Rene Sepulveda has his squad running in the right direction not only for the postseason, but also for the future.
“It's been a good season because we had two freshmen that were our first and second runners at the Big 12 Championships,” said Sepulveda. “But we have had two injuries that really hurt our team, because Tone Hjalmarsen and Marcela Lustigova were our No. 2 and 3 runners before they got hurt. It's been a season where we've had some disappointments with some injuries, but we're really excited about some of the girls that have really improved from last year and their performances this season.”
Although injuries have kept the Cowgirls from having some of their top runners available for the postseason, they have provided the opportunity for some of the newcomers and the patient veterans to step in and make an impact.
“What it does for you is you're glad that you have some depth,” said Sepulveda. “We could have easily dropped to eighth, ninth, 10th or even worse in the Big 12. Most teams that lost their No. 2 and 3 runners would have dropped off substantially. We really didn't drop off too much. Ideally we wanted to be third, but to only drop a couple places after the injuries shows that we have some depth and we have enough runners here that can fill in.”
The depth, as well as the emergence of a handful of Cowgirl runners, provides Sepulveda with a building block for next season and beyond. Despite losing seniors Maria Trejo and Eva Tomankova, Oklahoma State will have potential scorers next season and should be in position to establish itself among the conference's elite teams.
In addition to having Hjalmarsen and Lustigova back, Sepulveda will also return freshman standout Mihaela Susa, junior Brittany Mason and freshman Lena Orn. After strong showings to finish the 2007 campaign, sophomore Leah Schroeder and freshman Alina Istrate are positioning themselves to make solid contributions next year.
“Hopefully next year we'll get the same performances from Leah. She's one that we really want to improve next year and who is coming along for us,” Sepulveda said. “Alina is another girl that was a freshman this season, but who we really expect to make a difference next season.”
Sepulveda and his runners alike have attributed this season's success to the team atmosphere that has flourished under Sepulveda. From helping a batch of international newcomers adjust to life on and off the track to helping elevate the performance of Cowgirl veterans, OSU's tight-knit group has helped provide a foundation for the resiliency Oklahoma State has shown this season.
“The closer that your group is and the more they believe in each other and the team, the better they're going to be and they're going to motivate each other to perform,” Sepulveda said. “Particularly with Maria and Brittany, they really wanted our team to do well and they knew they needed to step up. I think the team really helped pull them up to the level they are now.”
Sepulveda said his goals for this weekend's NCAA Regionals are to match last season's finish of fifth and get as much experience as possible for his squad. Although the loss of Hjalmarsen and Lustigova could hurt the Cowgirls' chances of making waves on the scoreboard this weekend, it should provide a momentum boost as Oklahoma State looks towards the 2008 season.
“Our regional is so good now and we know that we really have our work cut out for us to make it to that next level,” said Sepulveda. “It's a lot of work, but things are really coming along the way we want them to be.”
