University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Cross Country Squads Prepare for Big South Meet on Saturday
10.30.2009 | Cross Country
By David Pickett
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's and women's cross country teams are back in action Saturday morning as the Bulldogs take part in the Big South Conference Championships held at Shady Oaks Kennel in Winston-Salem. This year's championship will be hosted by High Point University. The men's 8K race is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m., followed shortly by the women's 5K race set for 11:30 a.m.
Head coach Jesse Norman is very confident that both of his teams will be ready to perform at their best.
"Both teams have been making their final race preparations all week long for the meet," explained Norman. "We have been preparing ourselves mentally and physically by resting up in efforts to run a smart tactical race."
On the women's side, freshman Melanie Kulesz looks to continue to guide the pack up front for the Bulldogs. Kulesz turned in a season-best of 18:42 in the 5K prior to this meet.
Behind Kulesz will be a young group of talented underclassmen and two seniors. Four freshmen including Clair Powell (19:10), Alyska Kalmeijer (19:43), Kylie Smith (20.12) and Erin Putnam (20:33) have enjoyed solid rookie seasons for the Bulldogs. Emma Bussard will run on Saturday after missing most of the season with an injury. Sophomore Mackenzie Wheaton (20:39) has been consistent for the Bulldogs along with seniors' Rachael Ambrosia (20:17) and Katie Olert (20:25).
On the men's side, sophomore Eliud Chirchir is expecting to set the tone up front for the Bulldog men. Chirchir ran a season best of 25:54 in the 8K prior to this meet. On Saturday, he will be looking to improve on his personal best of 25:49.
"If Eli can finish in the top 12 that would be huge in the terms of team scoring," explained Norman. "In the process, he would set himself up individually for all-conference honors."
Chirchir will lead a pack that includes sophomores' Sam Maynard (26:34), Kent Rankin (26:27) and Adam Schnapp (29:16). Junior Jay Barringer (27:28) and senior Adam Vick (28:08) will look to make a difference for the Bulldogs. Freshman Chris Murray (32:10) rounds out the Asheville line-up for this weekend.
