October 6, 2011

Tech runners to get preview of future OVC championship course at JSU Foothills Invitational

After running a hilly, challenging TTU Invitational layout at Southern Hills Golf Course last week, the Tennessee Tech cross country teams are ready for flat and fast.

Men's 8K begins at 9:15, women run 5K at 10 a.m.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — After running a hilly, challenging TTU Invitational layout at Southern Hills Golf Course last week, the Tennessee Tech cross country teams are ready for flat and fast.

That's exactly what they'll get when they compete in the JSU Foothills Invitational on Saturday at Oxford Lake & Recreation Center in Oxford, Ala.

The Golden Eagles will take 14 women and 10 men to compete at the event, which is their second-to-last meet prior to the Ohio Valley Conference Championships on Oct. 29.

"We're getting closer to the end of the season, so we should be seeing some faster times on Saturday and over the next couple of weeks," said head coach Tony Cox.

Tech is coming off a strong performance at its home meet, where junior John Greene took individual gold in the men's race and both teams placed second overall. Greene ran the 8K course in 26:39.49 and has set a personal record in every meet this season. Rounding out Tech's top five on the men's side were sophomore Matt Bishop, junior Mike Mahan, sophomore Adam McLeod and freshman Matt Pennycuff.

Peri Winborne led the women, placing fifth overall with a time of 20:13.67. Tech also got top 15 overall finishes from sophomore Rebecca Cline, seniors Traci Jones and Leah Bradley and sophomore Beth Miller.

At the 6^th Annual JSU Foothills Invitational, the Golden Eagles will see a flat course entirely on grass with some wooded trail paths. The event begins with the men's 8K race at 9:15 a.m. and concludes with the women's 5K at 10 a.m.

Saturday's event will provide Tech runners a preview of the Oxford Lake course, which will host the OVC Championships in 2012.

"This should be a great race for us," Cox said. "The course is pretty flat, so our runners should be able to post some faster times, and it will be great for them to get some experience on this course, as it will be the site of our conference championship next year."

Full results will be posted on TTUSports.com when they become available.