Texas A&M
NCAA South Central Regional
No. 22 Aggie men win Region title, advance to NCAA Championships
Nov 15, 2008 | Cross Country
Nov. 15, 2008
WACO - In winning his third consecutive South Central Region individual title, Shadrack Songok led the No. 22 Texas A&M men's cross country team to its first berth into the NCAA Championship meet in five years.
Meanwhile, Christina Munoz placed third overall to earn an individual berth into the national meet for the second consecutive season. The NCAA Championships will be held in Terre Haute, Indiana on Monday, November 24.
Scoring a total of 39 points allowed the Aggie men to claim the team title over Arkansas, who tallied 44 points. In the process Texas A&M snapped an 18-year winning streak by the Razorbacks in the South Central Region. Arkansas had also claimed 29 of the last 30 team titles in this meet. Rounding out the top five team in the field of 17 squads were Lamar (74), Texas (112) and Rice (164).
"It's tremendous to see the enthusiasm in our group," said Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry, who experienced his first-ever team to qualify for the NCAA Championship field. "Dan has done a great job getting these groups together. For the men to win this region that is a tremendous accomplishment for our program."
Waters noted: "It's a pretty significant victory for our team. I've been watching this region for 15-odd years and I've never seen someone come close to beating Arkansas. They've had a strangle hold on this region and they are still a fantastic team. To run with them and just edge them out for the team championship is a special day for us."
Songok toured the 10,000-meter course in 29 minutes, 52.1 seconds on a very windy and cold morning on the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. Gusts of wind were constant between 15 and 20 mph throughout the morning with temperatures in the 40s. Songok finished three seconds ahead of Lamar's Samuel Kosgei and 15 seconds in front of Scott MacPherson of Arkansas. That trio pulled away from the field and made up the lead pack for a majority of the race.
"It's incredible, I've been dreaming of going to nationals with a team," Songok said. "Today the guys showed what they are capable of and we needed that kind of effort to win the team title over Arkansas. We're so excited that we are going to nationals.
"Any time we had the wind at our back I tried to push the pace to make up for what we lost running into the wind. Whoever was the stronger runner on this day was going to be the winner as we finished into a very strong wind. That's what I was looking forward, especially since Kosgei is such a strong finisher."
As the runners reached the finish line Texas A&M could see their goal becoming reality as four of the top five runners crossed the line ahead of a Razorback. Kevin McNab (30:43.7) bettered Eric Fernandez (30:53.7) as the second Aggie to finish. Then Kevin Ondrasek claimed ninth place in 31:02.1 ahead of Razorback Andy McClary (31:08.1).
Arkansas won the next battle with Lane Boyer taking 11th (31:12.6) in front of A&M's Joe Sauvageau, who clocked 31:18.0 for 12th. Mitch Bible became the fifth Aggie to cross the finish line as he placed 15th in 31:19.0. Razorback Michael Chinchar placed two spots back in 16th (31:27.2).
"It's phenomenal going to nationals with Shadrack and the rest of the team," McNab stated. "The wind made for a tactical race, especially in a couple of stretches coming back towards the finish line. It was extremely windy. For most of the race I was in a group of nine runners and we were all looking around to see where other teams were so we could position ourselves just right in case there was a move at the end."
Munoz led the women's field over the 6,000-meter course for a period of time, but in the final sprint to the finish she was passed by Rice's Nicole Mericle, who captured the win in 20:34.7, as well as Baylor's Erin Bedell, who was runner-up in 20:41.4.
Munoz clocked 20:43.3 for third as she earned a second trip to the NCAA Championships.
"I knew they couldn't draft off me in these windy conditions since I'm so short," Munoz said. "They can't gain anything by running behind me, so I just went for it. I think that was the best choice for me.
"It was an awesome feeling to know that a victory was still possible so late in the race. I've never felt that before on this level. I'm so ready for nationals. Last year I was sick for the race so I'm excited to get out there and have a better result."
Just missing out on a berth to the NCAA field with an automatic berth was Elizabeth Slaughter, who placed 20th overall in 21:31.9 and was the fifth finish not associated with a team advancing to nationals.
Slaughter finished with the same time as Houston's Stephanie Aldea, so the time was examined to the 100s of a second to determine the last NCAA individual qualifier. Aldea held a 0.02 advantage (21:31.83 to 21:31.85).
The Aggie women totaled 186 points for sixth place among a field of 17 teams. Arkansas won the women's team title with 51 points while Baylor and Rice tied for second place with 61 points apiece. SMU finished fourth with 103 points while Texas placed fifth with 134.
Members of the men's team included Logan Smith placing 39th in 32:32.5 and Graham Northcutt finishing 54th in 32:59.2. Also comprising the women's scoring team were Emilie Fischer (53rd - 22:43.4) and Kirsten Brown (74th - 23:24.8).
NCAA SOUTH CENTRAL REGION MEN'S RESULTS Team: 1. Texas A&M 39 (1-5-8-11-14); 2. Arkasas 44 (3-6-9-10-16); 3. Lamar 74 (2-7-17-22-26); 4. Texas 112; 5. Rice 164; 6. UT-Pan American 181; 7. LSU 212; 8. SFA 251; 9. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 283; 10. Baylor 288.
Individuals: 1. Shadrack Songok, Texas A&M, 29:52.1; 2. Samuel Kosgei, Lamar, 29:55.5; 3. Scott MacPherson, Arkansas, 30:07.2; 4. Festus Kigen, TCU, 30:35.0; 5. Jake Morse, Texas, 30:36.9; 6. Kevin McNab, Texas A&M, 30:43.7; 7. Eric Fernandez, Arkansas, 30:53.7; 8. Fracis Kasagule, Lamar, 30:59.8; 9. Kevin Ondrasek, Texas A&M, 31:02.1; 10. Andy McClary, Arkansas, 31:08.1.
Other Texas A&M: 12. Joe Sauvageau, 31:18.0; 15. Mitch Bible, 31:19.0; 39. Graham Northcutt, 32:59.2.
WOMEN'S RESULTS Team: 1. Arkansas 51; 2. tie, Baylor & Rice, 61; 4. SMU 103; 5. Texas 134; 6. Texas A&M 186; 7. Texas A&M - Corpus Christi 222; 8. TCU 239; 9. SFA 246; 10. Houston 281.
Individuals: 1. Nicole Mericle, Rice, 20:34.7; 2. Erin Bedell, Baylor, 20:41.4; 3. Christina Munoz, 20:43.3; 4. Catherine White, 20:49.2; 5. Nichole Jones, Baylor, 20:53.6; 6. Danielle Bradley, Baylor, 20:56.8; 7. Denise Bargiachi, Arkansas, 20:57.1; 8. Allison Pye, Rice, 20:59.4; 9. Lennie Waite, Rice, 21:03.6; 10. Christine Kalmer, Arkansas, 21:04.9.
Other Texas A&M: 20. Elizabeth Slaughter, 21:31.9; 47. Emilie Fischer, 22:43.4; 74. Kirsten Brown, 23:24.8.
