The 2009 Big 12 Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Columbia, Mo. The University of Missouri will host the event for the second time. having also hosted in 2002. Admission is free to the public.
The championships will begin with the men’s 8,000-meter run at 10 a.m. CT, followed by the women’s 6,000-meter event at 11 a.m. at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course. The top men’s and women’s teams are crowned league champions, while the top 15 individuals in each race earn All-Big 12 honors.
The Texas Tech women and Oklahoma State men were crowned the 2008 Big 12 Cross Country Champions - the first for both programs. OSU ended the 12-year win streak held by Colorado, becoming the second men’s team to win a Big 12 team title. TTU was the third women’s squad to win the event.
In the latest NCAA Division I national rankings, the Conference had four men’s teams and four women’s squads ranked in the top 30. No. 3 Oklahoma State leads the league for the men, followed by No. 4 Colorado, No. 20 Oklahoma and No. 23 Iowa State. On the women’s side, No. 3 Colorado, No. 14 Texas Tech, No. 19 Iowa State and No. 26 Baylor placed in the poll.
Highlighting the women’s field is two-time All-American and three-time All-Big 12 selection Jenny Barringer (Colorado). Barringer is among the favorites and could win her first individual Conference championship after redshirting during the 2008 season. All but three of the top 15 finishers from last year’s Big 12 Championship return to compete again in 2009.
In men’s action, German Fernandez (Oklahoma State) looks to become the fourth men’s cross country runner to win back-to-back Big 12 individual championships. In addition to Fernandez, 11 of the top 15 finishers in 2008 will run again at this year’s championship, including four other Cowboys.
Video highlights and full results will be made available following the races via the conference web site at Big12Sports.com.
NCAA Division I Men’s Cross Country Rankings
Oct. 27, 2009
3. Oklahoma State
4. Colorado
20. Oklahoma
23. Iowa State
2009 Big 12 Cross Country Runners of the Week
MEN
Sept. 8 Armando Del Valle, Kansas State, So.
Sept. 15 Phillip King, Missouri, Jr.
Sept. 22 Gilbert Limo, Texas Tech, Jr.
Sept. 29 Guor Marial, Iowa State, Sr.
Oct. 6 John Kosgei, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Oct. 13 Joe Bosshard, Colorado, Fr.
Oct. 20 Colby Lowe, Oklahoma State, So.
NCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Rankings
Oct. 27, 2009
3. Colorado
14. Texas Tech
19. Iowa State
26. Baylor
2009 Big 12 Cross Country Runners of the Week
WOMEN
Sept. 8 Martina Tresch, Kansas State, Fr.
Sept. 15 Kaitie Vanatta, Missouri, Fr.
Sept. 22 Beverly Ramos, Kansas State, Sr.
Sept. 29 Lisa Koll, Iowa State, Sr.
Oct. 6 Jenny Barringer, Colorado, Sr.
Oct. 13 Laura Thweatt, Colorado, Jr.
Oct. 20 Jenny Barringer, Colorado, Sr.