Sept. 6, 2007
WACO, Texas - The Baylor women's cross country team is set to compete in the BYU Autumn Classic on Saturday morning in Provo, Utah. The Lady Bears are scheduled to compete against BYU, Utah Valley State and Dixie State.
"It is always a good opportunity to get out of the hot Texas weather and into some better running conditions," said head coach Todd Harbour. "BYU is always one of the top programs in the country year in and year. We appreciate Coach Shane inviting us to come run."
The Lady Bears are coming off a first place team finish at the inaugural Baylor Twilight Invitational last Friday night at the Baylor Intramural Fields. Sophomore Nichole Jones (Spring, Texas) won her third career event, completing the 4K course in 13:37.9.
Baylor placed eight runners in the top 11 finishers at the Baylor Twilight Invitational, to claim a commanding win over ranked South Central region foes Lamar and Texas A&M.
"We have a great group of young ladies who really worked hard this summer," said Harbour. "From last week's results, we saw probably the tightest pack that we have ever had. It looks like we are going to have some good depth this year, which is what you need to place well at the conference and national meets."
Earlier this week, seniors Lauren Hagans (Little Rock, Ark.) and Lyndsy Bedell (Plano, Texas) were selected as team captains by their teammates. Hagans placed third on Friday with a time of 13:44.5, while Bedell finished in sixth in 13:51.5.
"Both Lauren and Lyndsy will be great captains and provide good senior leadership," said Harbour. "Both of them worked really hard this summer, and reported for practice in great shape."
Harbour is also expecting sophomore Erin Bedell to return to form, following an extended bout with mononucleosis that forced the sophomore to miss the 2006 season. In 2005, Bedell captained the United States Junior Cross Country Team and finished 35th overall at the World Junior Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. As a high school senior, Bedell placed 28th at the World Junior Cross Country Championships held in France.
"Erin really had a tough time last year," said Harbour. "She missed the whole cross country season, and then tried to come back for indoor track probably before she was 100 percent. She redshirted during the outdoor track season and really focused on getting healthy and back into shape. She has looked better each week, so we know that she is getting close."
Sophomore Danielle Bradley (West Palm Beach, Fla.) has shown promise this season, finishing fourth at the Baylor Twilight Invitational in 13:46.1. Bradley, who arrived at Baylor as a middle distance runner, has improved as a true distance runner entering the 2007 season.
"Danielle has made huge strides since this time last fall," said Harbour. "She had a great indoor and outdoor season, primarily as an 800 meter runner, but has really improved at running some longer distances."
Harbour has also been pleased with the progress of freshman Leigh Anna Ganzar (Littleton, Colo.) and returners Jessi Barnes (Bentonville, Ark.) and Renae Van Wyhe (Collierville, Tenn.).
"Leigh Ann has been a nice surprise early in the season," said Harbour. She was one of the top 800 meter and 400 meters in Colorado last year, and has made a good transition to running cross country. Renae and Jessi have also been impressive this fall. They both came back after the summer in really good shape."
The women's 5K race begins at 10 a.m. at the East Bay Golf Course. The men's four-mile race starts at 10:50 a.m.
