Oklahoma State University Athletics
No. 2 Cowboys Take Aim at National Championship
November 21, 2008 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
The Basics
The No. 2 Oklahoma State men's cross country team is set to compete at the 2008 NCAA National Championships Monday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind.
The Cowboys, who have already won the Midwest regional championship, as well as the Big 12 Championship, are now prepared to try for the national championship against the favored defending champions, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
“We have a group of guys that is also talented and that knows we have a shot at this thing,” coach Dave Smith said. “They will toe the line on Monday ready for a battle and expecting to win.”
The men's race starts at 11:48 a.m. central time and will be televised live by CBS College Sports.
Cowboys at the National Championships
At last year's NCAA National Championships, Oklahoma State ran an outstanding race and earned a spot on the podium at third place.
The Cowboys only national championship came in 1954, when coach Ralph Higgins' Cowboys claimed the team title.
Oklahoma State has never had an NCAA individual cross country champion.
OSU Lineups
Oklahoma State will send its top runners to compete at the NCAA National Championships.
Seven will run from the group of seniors Ryan Vail, Brian Gosnell and Matt Barnes-Smith, juniors David Chirchir, John Kosgei and Daniel Watts, sophomores Sean Fleming, Ryan Little and Clay Mayes and freshmen German Fernandez and Colby Lowe.
Last Time Out
The Cowboys ran well at their last outing, winning the team title at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.
Junior John Kosgei led the way for Oklahoma State, finishing the 10,000-meter course in third place with a time of 31:19.75. Three other Cowboys joined him in the top seven to help claim the team title.
The Cowgirls also competed in the event, finishing the last meet of their season in 5th place with sophomore Mihaela Susa leading the way, finishing the 6,000-meter course in 10th place with a time of 21:13.95.
OSU in the Polls
In the latest national cross country poll, the Oklahoma State men's team stayed at the No. 1 spot in the Midwest region.
The Cowboys also retained their spot as one of the best teams in the country, earning a No. 2 ranking in the national poll while receiving three first-place votes. Oklahoma state trails only the defending national champions, the Oregon Ducks.
