Oklahoma State University Athletics
Coach's Update: Dave Smith
November 19, 2008 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
As the No. 2 Oklahoma State men's cross country team prepares for the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 24, coach Dave Smith talks about the team's goals for the meet and how it feels to be NCAA Midwest regional champions.
On how he felt about the team's performance at regionals:
"I feel really good about the way the guys ran on Saturday. They ran the race exactly as we asked them to; a conservative first 7k and a good, solid last 3k to ensure the team title. We also asked them to resist getting into an all out sprint at the end in pursuit of the individual title. Everything we have done this season has been designed to get the team to the starting line next week healthy, fresh and ready to have our best race of the season and to put the team in the best position to contend for the championship. We have tried to stay under control, to build momentum each race and to really focus our energy and attention into one big effort in Terre Haute. Sometimes it takes a lot more mental toughness to stay disciplined, stick to the plan and resist the instinct to run wild when it really isn't necessary; and I am really proud of these guys for having the confidence and maturity they have shown all season."
On who will run at the National Championships:
"We still have some flexibility in our line-up and have some interchangable parts, especially at six and seven. We will run seven from the group of Barnes-Smith, Chirchir, Fernandez, Fleming, Gosnell, Kosgei, Little, Lowe, Mayes, Vail and Watts."
On his expectations for the National Championships:
"I expect the race to be a very intense, fiercely contended competition that might not be decided until the final 400 meters, and could come down to just a couple of points one way or the other. There are several very, very good teams that seem to be hitting a peak right now. Oregon returns all seven from last year's national championship team, and they have added a very talented transfer and a freshman who is one of the best in the country. They started the season ranked number one and have stayed there all fall, deservedly so. They are the clear favorites in most people's minds. That being said, we are going to get out and get after them. We have a group of guys that is also talented and that knows we have a shot at this thing. They will toe the line on Monday ready for a battle and expecting to win."
On how the team's veteran leadership has combined with the young talent this season:
"We have some fantastic newcomers; I mean these are some big time runners; difference makers, but they are all new to NCAA and some of them are really young. Having mature guys that understand the grind the NCAA cross country season is and how to ration their energy and efforts in workouts and races is invaluable. Ryan Vail, Matt Barnes-Smith, Brian Gosnell and Alejandro Ruiz are a dream team of senior leaders. All four are absolutely super students, hard workers, great racers and just the best people you could hope to know. They have been outstanding with the newcomers and have done great job showing them what it means to be a Cowboy cross country runner. They have been a huge part of our success this season and I don't even want to think about filling their shoes next year."
On how proud of the team he is for what they have accomplished this year:
"As I said previously, I am extremely proud of the discipline, maturity and confidence this team has shown all year. We have taken some big steps toward becoming the program we want to be, and a big part of that is establishing collective expectation of excellence. I think we are getting there. Winning the Big 12 was also huge. Now, we are in a great position to take the next step."
