'A privilege and we are prepared': Auburn to host SEC cross country Championships

'A privilege and we are prepared': Auburn to host SEC cross country Championships'A privilege and we are prepared': Auburn to host SEC cross country Championships

AUBURN, Ala. – After finishing fourth in his collegiate cross country debut last month, Auburn freshman Silas Kipngetich returns to the same venue Friday at the SEC Championships at Indian Pines Golf Course.

"I got to run and learn about the course," Kipngetich said. "From the previous run, I know about the course itself and how to get prepared for this race."

The Auburn Invitational on Sept. 7 was the Tigers' first home meet in six years. Six weeks later, Auburn hosts the conference championships. 

"It feels good. It's like a privilege and we are prepared for it," Kipngetich said. "It's been good, from track season heading to cross country, I think I'm getting better and better every day and I'm ready for it. It's fun out there when you're running and you see your teammates, your fans cheering for you."

The women's 6K race starts at 9 a.m. The men's 8K race begins at 10 a.m. Those distances are slightly longer than the season-opening meet, an event that gave the Auburn runners beneficial course knowledge.



"It definitely helps especially with strategy, knowing the ins and outs in the course, the turns and everything," said sophomore Jack Rogers. "It also helps that we saw some other SEC teams there that we'll see again at the conference meet.

"Thankfully, I got to race a good bit last year as a freshman, so I have a little bit more experience with the higher intensity races and higher competition. It help a lot, especially being able to stick with some of those faster guys who will hopefully bring you to a faster time and just have that level of competition where you can challenge yourself to a higher level."

In addition to knowing the course, the Tigers also hope to benefit from the home crowd and home cooking.

"It's really exciting to have everyone come to us," junior Presley Weems said. "To be able to race on your own course and be at home and get to do your normal routine.

"It's nice to be able to sleep in your own bed, wake up, treat it like a normal day so you're not too worried, but you're still relaxed and know you have a big competition ahead." 

"Definitely a home-team advantage having everyone here and having all the Auburn fans," said sophomore Louisa McPherson, who finished 19thin the September meet. "It was really nice getting to know the course and seeing the layout, all the hills and how it's going to be.

"It's a good environment to be in because everyone is reaching for the same goal. Being able to run with those people, it's very exciting."

Auburn cross country coach David Barnett took notes during the Auburn Invitational, observations he'll emphasize with the Tigers one final time before Friday's starting gun.

"it's a fast course, not too many surprises," Barnett said. "The biggest thing is you just have to get out, get out hard, because if you don't, they're not going to come back to you, especially at a championship meet. It's a favorable course for us. I think the weather will be a factor as well, so it will be interesting to see how that plays out."
 
 

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer