After finishing second to Stanford in its past two meets, the sixth-ranked men’s cross country team knows exactly where it needs to be during the NCAA Championships.
“We can use them as a reference point in the race,” redshirt sophomore Ryan Andrus said. “They’re a talented team and obviously the favorite to win and should have five or six guys up front.”
The Ducks will race against Stanford and 29 other teams in Terre Haute, Ind., during today’s NCAA meet.
“National races are always intimidating,” Andrus said. “You have to be ready to play, and speaking for the team, we’re confident and excited about the challenge this year.”
Senior Jason Hartmann, who finished second individually in both the Pacific-10 Conference Championships and the Western Regional Championships this year, will pace the Oregon men. Andrus has been right behind Hartmann in both races.
“Ryan has run aggressively this year and has really lifted his level,” men’s head coach Martin Smith said. “He and Jason run their own individual races and find their own level in each race, and I don’t think anything will change in this meet. They have different running styles which is good in some ways that they don’t have to rely on each other if they won’t or can’t.”
Also running for Oregon will be juniors Brett Holts and Noel Paulson, redshirt junior John Lucas, redshirt sophomore Eric Logsdon, redshirt freshman Will Viviani and freshman Shane Ahlers.
Hartmann, a native of Rockford, Mich., has family and friends coming to the meet.
“It’s not quite a homefield advantage, but it’ll be nice to have them there,” Hartmann said. “I’m sure all the guys on the team will benefit from their cheering.”
On the women’s side, redshirt senior Carrie Zografos earned an individual spot in the meet, and will also compete in today’s meet.
“She has a great chance to do well, and will probably use her best tactic so far — to get out but stay relaxed, and then run up through the pack,” women’s head coach Tom Heinonen said. “It’s a fast course and also has some hills — things she likes. She’s much more confident and ready to go this time around.”
Zografos will be the third individual who has qualified for Heinonen in the four years his team has not. This is Heinonen’s last season leading the women harriers.
Both Zografos and the men’s squad have spent the season preparing for the national meet.
“It’s a whole new ball game at nationals,” Hartmann said. “It’s important to get out and feel confident, compete the whole way, and hang on at the end.”