Cross Country Squads Compete At Vanderbilt Saturday

Saturday, September 19

Nashville, Tenn.

9 am CT

University of Memphis

Commodore Classic

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Cross Country Squads Compete At Vanderbilt Saturday

Sep 17, 2015 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Men's (8k), women's (5k) squads to run in Commodore Classic.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a much-needed week off from competition, the University of Memphis cross country squads return to action Saturday, Sept. 19 when they travel to Nashville, Tenn., to compete in Vanderbilt University's Commodore Classic.

The men's and women's races will be held at Percy Warner Park. The men's 8k race starts at 9 a.m. (CT), followed by the women's 5k at 10 a.m. (CT).

Twenty-two NCAA Division I schools will be represented at Saturday's Commodore Classic. The men's competition features 18 squads, while the women's race has 22 teams. A combined 18 teams (men and women) ranked in the latest United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) regional polls will be at Saturday's meet.

For Memphis, Saturday will be two weeks since it last ran in the Brooks Twilight Classic at Mike Rose Soccer Complex Sept. 5. At the season-opening race, the men's squad placed 10^th and the women seventh. Senior Corentin Louis (35^th) and junior Martina Rodriguez Sala (18^th) were the men's and women's top finishers, respectively.

Although pleased with what he called "competitive composure," Tigers head coach Kevin Robinson used the Brooks Twilight Classic more as a training session to evaluate both teams.

"We needed the off week," said Robinson. "We got a little later start than normal this year. As a team, we treated the Twilight Classic as a training opportunity. We had only seven practices before that race.

"We needed the extra time between races to get more mileage on our legs and work through some pains and initial tightness that comes with the start of every season. The off week gave us an opportunity for a few more long runs and a couple of solid workouts. The off week has put us in a better position to compete this Saturday."

On the men's side, Saturday will see the return of senior Stephen Tankersley, who did not run in the season-opening Brooks Twilight Classic Sept. 5. Last year, Tankersley ran in five of the team's six meets and finished among the squad's top-five four times. He also had two top-25 performances in 2014.

"Stephen will run this week," said Robinson. "We rested him for the Twilight (Classic). He is going to be one of our front runners, and I expect his presence to help us."

For the women, Rodriquez Sala will be counted on to set the pace, with sophomore Kristen Adams still sidelined with an injury.

"We're still without Kristen this week," Robinson said. "She is still another 1-to-2 weeks out with her rehab. I'm not going to hurry her back. I want to give her some rest, so we can get through the remainder of the season without further injuries."

With Saturday being the second race of the season, Robinson expects his squads to compete and improve, but he wants them to take the next step.

"As we progress this season, our emphasis will move from being competitive to stepping up and winning," said Robinson. "This team is doing a good job. I'm really pleased with the attitudes and work ethic.

"The goal is for our front runners to continue to do what they've done and have our No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 runners close the gap. We need to work as a team, and we need to run tough. If we can do that, then we'll be more competitive and finisher higher."

Following Saturday's meet at Vanderbilt, Memphis won't have much down time as it returns to action Sept. 26 at the Rhodes College Invitational.