Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach's Update: Dave Smith
November 13, 2008 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
As the Cowboys prepare for the NCAA Midwest regional, coach Dave Smith gives an update on the team and what it was like to win the Big 12 Championship.
On OSU's chances of winning the NCAA Midwest Regional:
"If we turn the group loose, any of our top four would have a shot at winning the meet. There's a couple good guys from Minnesota, a couple from Tulsa and a couple from Iowa State. Based on the way we've run all year, I think any one of our top four guys could win individually. We aren't going to run that way. We're going to run a safe, controlled race and run as a group. Our top four or five guys will probably cross in abut the same five to 10 second window."
On running two 10K races back-to-back:
"It's a tough setup because 10K races, which we run at regionals and nationals, are really tough on the body. And running two of them in nine days is the hardest part of cross country. Our mindset going into regionals is that it's a stepping stone to nationals. We want to run hard enough as a team to win the meet but under control enough individually that we don't dip into that well of all-out maximum effort. We won't have any guys really running for the individual title. We want them to save our big effort for nationals. We need to have our guys ready to go."
On this year's team:
"I think this is definitely the best team we've had at OSU in 50 years and maybe ever. They won the national championship here in 1954 and that was obviously a great team. But this group is really good and having the regional meet at our home course is a huge advantage. In cross country, every course is different. There are no two courses alike. It's not like a football field or a basketball court where they're all the same dimensions. The terrain, the footing and the number of turns all plays into how fast or slow an athlete will run."
On how it feels to be the Big 12 Champions:
"It feels fantastic. Winning the Big 12 was huge. It is something that we have been talking about and focusing on for a long time. It's great to get over that hurdle and get ready for the next one."
On how it feels to be the Big 12 coach of the year:
"It is a big honor. There are a lot of very good coaches in this conference and it means a lot to be recognized by them. It is really more of a program recognition, though and I think it says a lot about where we are as a total program; the athletes, coaches and support staff."
On who impressed him the most at the Big 12 Championships:
"Well, I thought our top four guys ran just outstanding races. German winning it was huge for him and for the program. He just beat a three-time NCAA champion in Shadrack Songok of Texas A&M - as a true freshman! Ryan, as usual, ran a tough, tough race on a day when maybe he didn't feel his best out there. John is getting fitter and fitter each week and looks to be reaching top form just in time for the championship season, when we will need him the most. I thought that the race of the day, mostly because he somehow managed to exceed expectations yet again, was run by Colby Lowe. I am telling you, I know this kid is good. I know he is going to have unbelievable career and accomplish some amazing things at OSU, but he is just riding a wave right now, in that he keeps running better and better. After his first two races this year we had to readjust our goals for the Big 12 meet. Now, after the Big 12 meet, we need to readjust our projections for him at the NCAA championships."
On what the team is doing to prepare for the rest of the season:
"This time of year we are mostly resting and recovering. Most of our real intense training is overwith and we a just focused on getting to the starting line feeling fresh, rested and ready to race. We are decreasing the miles we run each week by a little, but, more importantly, we are running at much more relaxed paces. The time for training is done; now it's time to race."
