University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Cross Country Squads Open Seasons Saturday
Sep 03, 2015 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Tigers kick off campaign at 13th-annual Brooks Twilight Classic.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's and women's cross country squads kick off their 2015 campaigns Saturday, Sept. 5 when they compete in the 13th-annual Brooks Twilight Classic. The meet is slated to start at 9:20 p.m. (CT) at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Collierville, Tenn.
The collegiate women's 5k race begins at 9:20 p.m. (CT), followed by the collegiate men's 4-mile run at 10 p.m. (CT). Fifty-eight teams – both men and women – from 30 colleges are expected to compete in Saturday's event. The college races feature 11 NCAA Division I schools, including Memphis, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Alabama.
At last year's Brooks Twilight Classic, the men's and women's squads both posted fourth-place finishes. For the men, the top returning finishers from the 2014 race are Stephen Tankersley (26th) and Corentin Louis (27th). On the women's side, Kristen Adams (7th), Chelsea Ladd (11th) and Martina Rodriguez Sala (18th) all had top-20 performances at last season's Classic.
"I believe we'll compete well," said Tigers head coach Kevin Robinson. "We got a late start in terms of training this year, but I expect our teams to run with a lot of heart and tenacity. The meet also is going to give me an opportunity to see where we are moving forward.
"I expect the women's squad to step up and perform well. The men's team has several newcomers running in their first collegiate race, so it will be interesting to see how they respond. We have a couple of key runners that will not compete this weekend just to save them for later in the season.
"It's a neat experience running under the lights. There's not many cross country meets held at night. And, to compete in the area gives the opportunity for our entire team, along with families and friends, to come and give support."
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2015 Season Preview
Saturday's meet opens the 2015 season – a season that has a lot of excitement surrounding the program.
"We're off to a good start with our preparation for the season," said Robinson. "One thing I can say about this group is that they are fired up and motivated. I've enjoyed working with them since they've returned to campus, and it's been refreshing.
"We may take some lumps early, but ultimately our goal is to prepare for the conference and NCAA regional championships."
The men's squad returns some experience from last year, but according to Robinson, there's a rejuvenated feeling around the program, and it's a vibe that has him pumped.
"I've been working closely with Stephen, Brandon and Corentin," said Robinson. "They're our seniors, and those guys have been phenomenal with their work ethic and communication. All three have been through this before, and they've done a great job leading this team."
Louis and Tankersley both ran in five of the six meets last season, while Keys competed in three races. Louis' best finish came at the Brooks Twilight Classic (23rd), and his season-best time of 26:39 was posted at the American Athletic Conference Championships. Tankersley recorded two top-25 finishes a year ago, while Keys' best time came at the Rhodes College Invitational.
Barring injuries and health issues, the women's program is set up for a solid 2015 campaign and beyond. The Tigers return 10 runners – all juniors or younger – that competed in 2014 and add an NCAA Division I transfer, giving the squad incredible depth for 2015.
"The women's team is young with not a senior in the bunch," said Robinson. "And, all but one have experience competing at the (NCAA) Division I level.
"This year's team has a bright future. If we can avoid injuries and stay healthy heading into the conference championships, I expect the squad to be very competitive. So far, we're ahead of where we were a season ago, and that makes it exciting. They are motivated and ready to go, and it's fun coaching that group."
Adams and Rodriguez Sala both are All-American Athletic Conference performers that return for the Tigers. Adams earned all-league honors as a freshman in 2014 with her 13th-place finish at the conference meet. Rodriguez also garnered all-conference honors as a freshman in 2013 with a 15th-place performance at the league championships.
Adams and Rodriguez Sala – along with Chelsea Ladd and Lauren Wheeler – ran in all six meets last season. Four other returnees competed in four or more races, giving this season's squad a lot of experience.
Following the season-opening Brooks Twilight Classic this Saturday, Memphis runs a second race in the Bluff City when it competes in the Rhodes College Invitational Sept. 26. The American Athletic Conference Championships are set for Oct. 31 in Greenville, N.C., followed by the NCAA South Regional Nov. 13 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the NCAA Championships Nov. 21 in Louisville, Ky.
The collegiate women's 5k race begins at 9:20 p.m. (CT), followed by the collegiate men's 4-mile run at 10 p.m. (CT). Fifty-eight teams – both men and women – from 30 colleges are expected to compete in Saturday's event. The college races feature 11 NCAA Division I schools, including Memphis, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Alabama.
At last year's Brooks Twilight Classic, the men's and women's squads both posted fourth-place finishes. For the men, the top returning finishers from the 2014 race are Stephen Tankersley (26th) and Corentin Louis (27th). On the women's side, Kristen Adams (7th), Chelsea Ladd (11th) and Martina Rodriguez Sala (18th) all had top-20 performances at last season's Classic.
"I believe we'll compete well," said Tigers head coach Kevin Robinson. "We got a late start in terms of training this year, but I expect our teams to run with a lot of heart and tenacity. The meet also is going to give me an opportunity to see where we are moving forward.
"I expect the women's squad to step up and perform well. The men's team has several newcomers running in their first collegiate race, so it will be interesting to see how they respond. We have a couple of key runners that will not compete this weekend just to save them for later in the season.
"It's a neat experience running under the lights. There's not many cross country meets held at night. And, to compete in the area gives the opportunity for our entire team, along with families and friends, to come and give support."
Â
2015 Season Preview
Saturday's meet opens the 2015 season – a season that has a lot of excitement surrounding the program.
"We're off to a good start with our preparation for the season," said Robinson. "One thing I can say about this group is that they are fired up and motivated. I've enjoyed working with them since they've returned to campus, and it's been refreshing.
"We may take some lumps early, but ultimately our goal is to prepare for the conference and NCAA regional championships."
The men's squad returns some experience from last year, but according to Robinson, there's a rejuvenated feeling around the program, and it's a vibe that has him pumped.
"I've been working closely with Stephen, Brandon and Corentin," said Robinson. "They're our seniors, and those guys have been phenomenal with their work ethic and communication. All three have been through this before, and they've done a great job leading this team."
Louis and Tankersley both ran in five of the six meets last season, while Keys competed in three races. Louis' best finish came at the Brooks Twilight Classic (23rd), and his season-best time of 26:39 was posted at the American Athletic Conference Championships. Tankersley recorded two top-25 finishes a year ago, while Keys' best time came at the Rhodes College Invitational.
Barring injuries and health issues, the women's program is set up for a solid 2015 campaign and beyond. The Tigers return 10 runners – all juniors or younger – that competed in 2014 and add an NCAA Division I transfer, giving the squad incredible depth for 2015.
"The women's team is young with not a senior in the bunch," said Robinson. "And, all but one have experience competing at the (NCAA) Division I level.
"This year's team has a bright future. If we can avoid injuries and stay healthy heading into the conference championships, I expect the squad to be very competitive. So far, we're ahead of where we were a season ago, and that makes it exciting. They are motivated and ready to go, and it's fun coaching that group."
Adams and Rodriguez Sala both are All-American Athletic Conference performers that return for the Tigers. Adams earned all-league honors as a freshman in 2014 with her 13th-place finish at the conference meet. Rodriguez also garnered all-conference honors as a freshman in 2013 with a 15th-place performance at the league championships.
Adams and Rodriguez Sala – along with Chelsea Ladd and Lauren Wheeler – ran in all six meets last season. Four other returnees competed in four or more races, giving this season's squad a lot of experience.
Following the season-opening Brooks Twilight Classic this Saturday, Memphis runs a second race in the Bluff City when it competes in the Rhodes College Invitational Sept. 26. The American Athletic Conference Championships are set for Oct. 31 in Greenville, N.C., followed by the NCAA South Regional Nov. 13 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the NCAA Championships Nov. 21 in Louisville, Ky.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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