Oct. 23, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. -
The Auburn men's and women's cross country teams begin postseason racing on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the SEC Championships in Baton Rouge, La., at Highland Road Park. The men's field features 11 teams (South Carolina does not field a men's team), while the women's field has 12.
"Both teams are very young and for the majority of the team, this will be their first SEC's Championships," head coach Peter Watson said. "The girls are a lot better than what they showed at Pre-Nationals and I believe they will show up and compete hard."
The men's team will look to continue its string of solid performances at the SEC's as the Tigers have finished in the top-five each of the last two years. AU placed fourth in 2004 and fifth in 2005. If the men plan to record another stellar performance, they will have to do so with a team of rookies as only one Auburn runner has competed at the SEC Championships, senior Joey Giattino. The Tigers will have the experience of running at this distance after having competed at two 8K races so far this season.
On the women's side, the Tigers will compete without three-time SEC champion, Angela Homan. Auburn placed ninth last season despite Homan's individual title. The women will feature four runners, Becca Bell, Denise Daughenbaugh, Megan Karl and Jessica Smith, who have experience in the SEC Championships. The women have compted in one 6K race so far this season.
"This is the most important meet of the year for us and everyone is focused and knows what is required," Watson said.
The meet will begin with the women's 6K at 9 a.m., followed by the men's 8K at 10 a.m.
The lineup for the Tiger men and women are as follows:
Men
Mark Fleming
Joey Giattino
Scott Novack
Simon Nyang
Chase Oliver
Zach Olsen
Josh Pawlik
Elliot Smith
David Wall
Women
Miriam Arusei
Becca Bell
Denise Daughenbaugh
Sabrina Fischer
Kristen Hiott
Megan Karl
Laurel Pritchard
Katelyn Simpson
Jessica Smith