Texas Tech University Athletics
XC Races at Big 12 Championships
October 28, 2000 | Men's Cross Country
Oct. 28, 2000
BOULDER, Colo. - - The men's and women's cross country squads participated in the Big 12 Championships Saturday morning at the Buffalo Ranch on the south campus of the University of Colorado. The men took ninth place in the first race of the morning, while the women finished 10th in the second race.
In the men's race, Tech was led by senior Gezachw Yossef, who placed 19th in a time of 25:53. Yossef was followed by freshman Scott Moore, who crossed the finish line in 26:26 for 38th in the 101-runner field.
Another freshman was the team's third finisher, Shallowater's Ryan Cruz, who ran a time of 26:36. Senior Boniface Ndungu came next with a mark of 26:53 for 53rd. Tech's fifth time of the meet came from Nick Hulstrom, who ran a time of 27:02.
Joseph McCellon came in right behind Hulstrom in a time of 27:03, while Dwayne Benoit finished the 8K course in 27:22. Also racing for Tech were Brian Wade (27:46) and George Odom (29:50).
Colorado's Jorge Torres won the individual medalist honor in the men's race, finishing in 24:48, as the homestanding Buffaloes took the conference crown for the fifth straight year.
The women's squad fared well despite a host of injuries and ailments to almost every runner on the squad. Leigh Daniel was the top Tech finisher, running the 5700 meter course in 21:54 for 25th overall.
A pair of freshman followed the senior Daniel. Melissa Ernst finished 35th in a time of 22:29, while Bridget Tidwell took 42nd with a mark of 22:50.
Sophomore Shannon Spaulding finished 60th in a time of 23:30, picking up six to eight spots in the final 50 meters with a strong finishing kick. Freshman Tracie Akerhielm was Tech's fifth scorer, taking 69th in a time of 23:44.
Jennifer Marable also raced for the Red Raiders, crossing the finish line in a time of 24:16.
Colorado's Kara Grgas-Wheeler won the individual medalist honor, her second straight individual title. The Buffaloes also won their second straight team title.
The men's and women's teams race again November 11 in Ogden, Utah, at the NCAA Mountain Regionals hosted by Weber State University.
