Cross Country Reports for Preseason Practice
August 19, 2005 | Cross Country
Aug. 19, 2005
Lubbock, Texas- The 2005 Texas Tech cross country squads reported for meetings and practice today. First year head coach Jon Murray will join 12 newcomers and eight returning letterwinners for the 2005 season.
Coach Murray comes to Tech after five years as head coach of the ACU cross country and track and field program and nine years as the head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. Murray's Wildcats were undefeated in LSC men's cross country with 14 straight titles, and the women's team won the league crown in 10 of the 14 seasons (giving him a total of 32 league titles as a head coach). Both men's and women's teams finished as high as second in the nation in NCAA Division II cross country.
He has been Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year in men's and women's cross country and men's track and field and president of the NCAA Division II Cross Country Coaches Association. As a head coach, four of his Wildcat track and field student-athletes won prestigious NCAA postgraduate scholarships.
Returning letterwinners for the men's squad are Haron Lagat, who received 2004 All-Big 12 honors, Benson Cheserek, Pedro Vargas and Kyle Atwood. On the women's side, returning letterwinners are Katie Leonard, Abby Schubert, Anna Hagood and Irene Kimaiyo.
Newcomers include Orey Smith, who finished second at the 5A state meet, David Boston, James Valadez, Ben Willms, Aaron Greer, Wade Smith and John Means. Joining the women's squad will be Asia Diaz, who finished ninth at the 5A state meet, Margaux Darwin and Kayla Kenoyer.
"It is great to finally put some faces to the names of the student-athletes," said head coach Jon Murray. "Having the athletes return just heightens my excitement to be at Texas Tech and be a part of the cross country and track and field staff. I anticipate some great things from this group of athletes and look forward to watching them develop through the year. We will be working hard during the next two weeks to get ready for our opening meet at the Red Raider Relays on September 3."
Red Raider cross country will open their 2005 schedule with the Texas Tech Invitational, at Mae Simmons Park, on Sat. Sept. 3.
Players Mentioned
