The NCAA’s switch from 5,000 meters to 6,000 meters as the standard distance in women’s cross country has been a rough one for some teams — especially Oregon.
Last year, the NCAA cross country committee decided to lengthen the standard distance by 1,000 meters. Most applauded the move, saying it was the next logical step. But as more 6,000-meter races are run, coaches across the nation are finding that teams are responding in very different ways to the switch.
Oregon’s inaugural 6,000-meter race was mediocre at best. Then ranked 12th in the nation, the Duck Harriers placed seventh at the Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn.
Many of the Oregon runners misjudged the new distance and either faded in the last portion of the race or went out too conservatively.
Three weeks later, the Ducks, now ranked No. 22, traveled to Ames, Iowa for the Pre-NCAA meet. Their second 6,000 meter race of the season was even less successful, as the Ducks placed 21st. Although they beat out 35 other schools, Oregon lost credit with the NCAA selection committee by losing to teams ranked lower than the Ducks.
“We had an absolutely miserable performance at Pre-nationals,” Oregon head coach Tom Heinonen said. “Our performance was far below our expectations. I think it was no indication of what we were capable of.
“We’ll be very lucky to make the NCAA meet,” Heinonen added. “It’s still possible since 31 teams qualify, and we did beat a few teams that might help us later on.”
The Ducks have not missed an NCAA meet since 1996 and have qualified for 23 of the last 25 meets.
The Ducks make their third venture on a 6,000 meter course this weekend at the Pacific-10 Conference championships in Seattle.
The women’s race begins at 11 a.m. in Lincoln Park, near the Washington campus.
Although the meet does not count toward NCAA qualification, the Ducks have much to gain — or lose — at the meet.
“This is our chance to get back on track and near the big four teams in the conference,” Heinonen said. “We want to make this be a good step towards regionals in two weeks.”
The meet that counts toward NCAA qualification is the Western Regional meet on Nov. 11 in Fresno, Calif.
“If we can be a solid fifth at Western Regionals, we stand a much greater chance in getting to nationals.” Heinonen said.
The Ducks come into the meet ranked fifth among Pac-10 schools behind Stanford, Arizona State, Washington and Arizona.
Senior Hanna Smedstad, who has been the most successful in adjusting to the new distance, leads the Ducks into competition.
Other than Smedstad, the Oregon team is mostly middle distance runners in track. Senior Katie Crabb and sophomores Eri MacDonald and Erinn Gulbrandsen are all 800-meter specialists. Senior Rhiannon Glenn is more versatile, but still favors the 1,500 meters. Freshmen Laura Harmon and Annette Mosey both ran the 1,500 and 3,000 meters in high school. Despite the jump in distances, Heinonen is pleased with the change.
“We think 6k is a good distance for us,” Heinonen added. “We just have to show it in competition.”