Today could be a red-letter day for Colorado University cross country.
The Buffs are favored to win both the Big 12 men’s and women’s team titles on their home course in Boulder, Colo.
The men will run an 8K race at 10 a.m., Mountain time, at Buffalo Ranch course. The women’s 6K starts at 11 a.m.
“I’m not a big poll watcher, but they (Buffs) stand out in both,” said Doug Clark, KU’s assistant coach in charge of the distance runners. “The meet is in altitude which gives them a little advantage over the other schools, too.”
Oklahoma State’s men and women are expected to also challenge for the top spot.
Where does Kansas fit in the mix?
The Jayhawks are hoping for a third-place finish on the men’s side and eighth- or ninth-place finish on the women’s side, Clark said.
“We are going in a situation where we should not be overwhelmed,” Clark said. “At both Arkansas and Oklahoma State, we have run in meets bigger and just as competitive as the Big 12.”
KU’s men placed fifth of 20 teams, while the women were seventh of 16 teams at the recent OSU Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla. KU’s men placed sixth of 23 teams and the women ninth of 25 at Arkansas’ Chili Pepper Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.
Freshman Laura Lavoie has been KU’s leading women’s finisher in KU’s four meets. She is joined in KU’s lineup by Lauren Brownrigg, Katy Eisenmenger, Paige Higgins, Eve Lamborn, Bridget Morrisey and Kelly Reid.
Mark Menefee and Brent Behrens have been top finisher in two meets apiece for KU’s men. They’ll be joined at league by Charlie Gruber, Brian Blachly, Pete Prince, Derec Lacio and Brian Raggett.
“I continue to see improvement in both of our teams every time we race,” first-year KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “When one runner doesn’t run well, another seems to step up for our team.”
KU’s men have finished in the top 10 in all four meets.
“Our teams have to pack close and stay as high as they can and we will finish strong at conference,” Redwine said.
