Alabama's Crimson Classic next challenge for Aggie cross country

Friday, October 13

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

9 a.m.

Texas A&M

Crimson Classic

Oct 11, 2017 | Cross Country

Crimson Classic - men's course Crimson Classic - women's course

TUSCALOOSA – In its final cross country meet prior to the conference championship, Texas A&M will compete in the Crimson Classic on Friday with the men racing at 9 a.m. (CT) over 8,000 meters as the women follow at 9:45 a.m. on a 6,000m course.

Alabama hosts the meet at the Harry Pritchett Running Park and the Aggies will have 22 runners competing in the Crimson Classic, with 11 men and 11 women racing. Start lists and results are available online: https://results.flotrack.org/XC-PTT.html?mid=1288

"We've had a couple of weekends where we didn't race our top five to top seven group," noted Texas A&M assistant coach Wendel McRaven. "They've been training really hard and training really well. I think they're probably itching to get back out there and race again.

"Primarily, I'm looking for the group to continue to progress. Both squads have kind of naturally figured out the groups they run together with. It's important to let that naturally evolve. Earlier in the season we kind of force them to do it a little bit to get them in that mindset. As they progress, we kind of let it happen on its own. We've seen it in training, so it should carry over to our racing."

Teams competing in the Crimson Classic include Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Belmont, Georgia Southern (w), Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Lane, Lipscomb (m), Memphis, Mercer, Middle Tennessee State, North Florida, Oklahoma, Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi (w), SFA, Tennessee-Martin, Troy, UAB (w), UT Rio Grande Valley, Vanderbilt (m) and Wallace State.

Among national rankings this season Middle Tennessee State men are ranked No. 22 and they lead the South region. Teams following Middle Tennessee in the South region include No. 3 Alabama, No. 4 Georgia Tech, and No. 7 Auburn. On the women's side Oklahoma ranks No. 7 in the Midwest region while the South region includes No. 6 Auburn, No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 10 Southern Miss.

Texas A&M men are ranked No. 3 in the South Central region with the Aggie women No. 5. The men's squad have claimed three team titles this season and Alex Riba has been the leading runner for Texas A&M in each victory. Ashley Driscoll has paced the Aggie women in three meets this season, leading the team in a pair of home victories and a third-place effort in Georgia.

Racing with Riba on the men's team are Jon Bishop, Eli Canal, Taylor Clayton, Sam Erickson, Christian Farris, Jacob Perry, Brandt Preston, Zephyr Seagraves, Ryan Trahan and Ryan Yerrow.

Joining Driscoll on the women's squad are Olivia Arriaza, Lauryn Barrientos, Hannah Campbell, Lizette Chapa, Ashton Hutcherson, Devin Norton, Kelsey Persyn, Kaitlin Tanner, Maddie Vondra and Kelsie Warren.

"Our top individuals envision themselves being among the top 10 at the SEC meet," said McRaven. "So, to do that they need to be competing up near the front in this meet. There are individuals and teams in this meet that will provide a good measuring stick for us."

The SEC Championships will be held in two weeks, on Oct. 27, in Athens, Georgia.