Cross country looks to go crazy on the competition

by Paul Shugar
THE POST

The Ohio cross country teams go against some tough competition at the William and Mary Invitational this weekend at the Eastern State Hospital grounds in Williamsburg, Va.

After a third-place finish at the Pre-Mid-American Conference meet last weekend the women (0-1) are looking for more improvement, coach Elmore Banton said.

"The women's race is loaded," he said. "Michigan, Penn State and William and Mary are all tough."

Runner Jacki Waller said the tough competition will be good for the team.

"It is a bigger meet and good experience," she said. "Racing against bigger schools may pack us up more."

Last weekend the gap between the first and fifth runner dropped to 48 seconds from more than a minute.

"The women have looked good in practice and Waller and (Mary) Reynolds are looking strong," Banton said. "We just have to have to close the gaps and if Lindsay (Nemastil) runs a better race this weekend the gap will improve."

Last weekend Nemastil went out too hard and did not have the race she is used to having, Banton said.

"Last week we may have been a little too aggressive, but that is better than having the race taken to you," he said. "You learn how to run better and longer that way, and I'm proud of how they went out."

Banton said he hopes the men (0-1) are also aggressive this weekend, but the team will have to overcome injuries.

Runner Mickey Martin is out with sore calf muscle. David Hochens is possibly out for the weekend, and Justin Kempe is also questionable. Because of the injuries only five runners will compete for Ohio.

"We're not moping because injuries happen," Martin said. "They are just little wear and tear injuries here and there."

Martin did say the injuries were a blow to the team after having a strong workout to start the week.

One injury positive for the Bobcats is that Steve Krajenski has started running again after dealing with an injury since the beginning of the year. Banton said he might compete in a meet as soon as next week.

The gun will go off for the invitational at 10 a.m. Saturday for the women and 10:45 a.m. for the men.

Women- Michigan, North Carolina, Penn State, Georgetown, Navy, Richmond, North Carolina, Old Dominion, St. Joseph, William and Mary, Virginia Commonwealth, Hamilton,

Men- Norfolk State, Hampton,