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Sept. 15, 1997
Texas Tech Heads to SMU Invitational
The SMU Invitational
The men's and women's cross country teams head to Southern Methodist University in Dallas for the annual SMU invitational on Saturday. The meet will be held at Norbuck Park and will offer the Red Raiders a first look at Division I competition for the 1997 season. The women's 5K begins at 9 a.m., followed by the men's 8K at 9:30 a.m.. The meet will feature both collegiate and high school competition. Several Texas schools are slated to run, including Texas, North Texas, Texas Christian, University of Texas-El Paso, University of Texas-Arlington, and Nicholls State. Seven runners will compete on each team, with the top five scoring.
Last year, the Texas Tech women ran two teams at the SMU Invitational, making it possible for more runners to compete. The teams placed 6th and 12th in a field of 12. Kristen Koppes was the top finisher for the Red Raiders, placing sixth in a time of 18 minutes, 9.68 seconds. Leigh Daniel was close behind, finishing seventh in 18:12.84. Both Daniel and Koppes will be looking to improve on last year's finish. The men's squad is focusing on moving up from last year's finish in Dallas. The team placed 11th in a field of 11, with David Leigh leading the pack for the Red Raiders. Leigh crossed the line with a time of 26:37.99, good for 20th out of 77. Texas Tech men should fill out the team as they head into the weekend.
Red Raider Invitational in Review
Texas Tech cross country started off the 1997 season on the right foot. At the Red Raider Invitational, the women's team paced the way to a first place finish with seven athletes placing among the top 10. Sophomore Leigh Daniel moved across the finish line in first place in 19:09, improving on her previous finish at the meet by nearly one minute. Following for second place was sophomore Kristen Koppes in 19:53. Several other underclassmen proved their strength, including sophomores Tara Hangge, Dawn Charlier and Keeli Hanzelka. The men's team also featured a young squad at the meet, with freshman Scott Rackers claiming the top position among the Texas Tech runners. Rackers placed sixth overall with a time of 28:58.0 in his first meet as a Red Raider. Junior Alex Aldaco was close behind for a seventh place finish. Rackers and Aldaco were the only Red Raiders among the top ten, as the team placed third overall behind South Plains College and West Texas A&M.
Texas Tech Coaching Staff
Greg Sholars had his debut as head of the cross country program at the Red Raider Invitational. The past three years, Sholars has been in charge of the men's track and field team, but this year he takes on a new role. With recent departures among the staff, Sholars is now head of the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams. He is bringing the men's and women's cross country teams together to travel and compete as one unit.
Joining Sholars with the program is Trece Hayslett. Originally hired as a track and field assistant to work with sprints, hurdlers and jumpers, Hayslett has also taken on responsibilities with cross country. A 1993 graduate of Memphis, Hayslett competed on the cross country and track teams, claiming the conference championship in the 400 meters. She spent last year as an assistant at Tulane.
Season Bests List
Women's 5K
NAME TIME DATE
Leigh Daniel 19:09.0 9/6
Kristen Koppes 19:53.0 9/6
Tara Hangge 20:32.0 9/6
Lori Knowles 20:59.0 9/6
Dawn Charlier 21:12.0 9/6
Keeli Hanzelka 21:32.0 9/6
Courtney Nolen 22:11.0 9/6
Juile Roettinger 22:29.0 9/6
Aimee Roberson 22:41.0 9/6
Shannon Keel 23:14.0 9/6
Charity Garrison 26:13.0 9/6
Men's 8K
NAME TIME DATE
Scott Rackers 28:59.0 9/6
Alex Aldaco 28:59.0 9/6
Jason Winkle 29:33.0 9/6
Dan Miller 30:08.0 9/6
David Leigh 30:33.0 9/6
Brandon Clemmons 30:51.0 9/6
JR Dutchover 31:30.0 9/6
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