Cross country teams race for Pac-10 title

Brian Wahlund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 30, 1998

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Arizona Daily Wildcat
Amy Skieresz

The Pacific 10 Conference Cross Country Championships will take place Saturday in Eugene, Ore. The No. 5 ranked UA men's team and the No. 6 ranked women's team both look to perform well and challenge the competitive field that includes three men's teams currently ranked in the top five in the nation, as well as a women's field that will see six teams from the top 25 compete.

UA senior Abdi Abdirahman will lead the Wildcats and compete for the men's individual title. Abdirahman finished seventh at last year's meet and looks to improve upon that performance. Stanford will look to defend its men's Pac-10 title with senior twins Brad and Brent Hauser. Host Oregon will also field a tough squad featuring seniors Matthew Davis and Oliver Wirz. Perhaps the largest threat posed to Abdirahman is the defending individual Pac-10 champion, Bernard Lagat of Washington State.

"Brent and Brad Hauser, Bernard Lagat, Matt Davis, and Abdi should be right up there. I think that those five guys are possibly in the top 6-7 in the nation," said UA head coach Dave Murray.

The UA women's team will be led by freshman Tara Chaplin and three-time defending Pac-10 champion and race favorite senior Amy Skieresz. With another victory, Skieresz will become an unprecedented four-time Pac-10 individual champion. Junior Kristen Parrish will also help the UA cause and a possible top-10 finish is within her ability.

"Amy is running very, very well right now, and Tara Chaplin is running very well also," said Murray. "We definitely have a chance to finish 1-2."

Standing in the way of Skieresz and the Wildcats' quest for the Pac-10 title will be defending Pac-10 team champion Stanford. The Cardinal look to keep a firm grasp on their title behind the running of senior Mary Cobb, junior Sarah Glynn and sophomore Julia Stamps. The Oregon team will look to run well on their home course, led by seniors Marie Davis and Heather McMahon.

Asked about the women's field, coach Murray replied that there will be staunch competition from No. 3 Oregon and No. 1 Stanford for both the team and individual championships.

"Julia Stamps from Stanford is a good runner, and she'll be right up there. Marie Davis from the home school will be very formidable," Murray said. "We need an outstanding performance from our top three runners, and our fourth and fifth runners will be very important."

The men's race 8,000-meter race will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the women's 5,000m race will follow at 11:30.

Brian Wahlund can be reached via e-mail at Brian.Wahlund@wildcat.arizona.edu.