Red Raider Invitational to Open Cross Country Season
June 21, 1999 | Men's Cross Country
September 8, 1998
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech men's and women's cross country will open their seasons on Saturday, September 12, with the Red Raider Invitational at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock. The women will race at 9:00 a.m. and the men follow at 9:45 am. The meet will include teams from South Plains College, Wayland Baptist University, Abilene Christian University and Eastern New Mexico University.
"The Invitational will give us an opportunity to get a feel for the progress of the training of the teams and see how they are gelling together," said Head Track and Field Coach Greg Sholars. "We are excited to open our season in Lubbock. It will give the locals a chance to see us run."
The Invitational will be the debut of new assistant coach in charge of cross country and distance events Dave Smith. Smith joined the track staff in July coming from Washington where he was the coach for the Northwest Running Club's women's cross country team and a volunteer coach for the University of Washington. Collegiately, Smith raced for Michigan State University and was the 1993 Big Ten champion in the 10,000 meters.
"Dave Smith brings youthful energy to our program," Sholars said. "He has strong knowledge and background in competitive running, as well as, experience in developing athletes in the distance events."
The men's team returns every point scorer from last year's team including junior David Leigh (Grapevine, Texas). Leigh was the top finisher in four of the six meets he competed in, including the Big 12 conference championships. Others looking to make an impact on team include: Samson Ngetich (Londiani, Kenya), a transfer from Kenya, who raced for the track team last spring and recorded the season's best time in the 800 meters. Scott Rackers (Plano, Texas) who finished a team-best sixth place at last year's Red Raider Invitational. Chris Thomas (Lubbock, Texas) who was ineligible last season, but has impressed Smith with his summer preparation and fall workouts.
The women's team will look to have another great season after finishing 5th at the conference meet and advancing to the NCAA Regionals. Leading the ways is junior Kristen Koppes (Redding, Ca.). Koppes finished second at last year's Red Raider Invitational and produced five top 20 performances last season. Another to watch is senior Amber Affeldt (Coon Rapids, Mn.) Affeldt competed in the NCAA Championships in the 800 meters last spring and will be running with cross country this fall.
Anyone interested in competing in the Red Raider Open can register by contacting the Texas Tech Track and Field office at (806) 742-3355. The entry fee is $5 per runner.