The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Cross Country Prepares For Crimson Classic
9/15/2005 | Cross Country
Sept. 15, 2005
Oxford, Miss. - The Ole Miss men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday Sept. 17, to compete in the Crimson Classic. The race will be run at the Harry Pritchett Cross Country Course, which is the former University of Alabama golf course. The men's 8K race will begin at 9:00 a.m., while the women's 5K race will follow at 9:45 a.m.
The Rebel men and women will compete against the host school Alabama, as well as Alabama State (Men & Women), Arkansas State (Men & Women), Mississippi State (Men & Women) and Southern Miss (Women), among others.
Running for the Ole Miss men will be senior Mike Atkins (Oxford, Miss.), sophomore Stephen Clevenger (Decatur, Ill.), freshman Seth Conerly (Hattiesburg, Miss.), junior Devin Darnall (Jackson, Miss.), senior Justin Jernigan (Taylorsville, Miss.), sophomore Kyle Lewis (Bay St. Louis, Miss.), junior Bryce McKay (Tupelo, Miss.), senior Matthew Merritt (Germantown, Tenn.) and freshman Julio Quintana (Marietta, Ga.).
Competing for the Ole Miss women will be junior Shannon Chandler (Germantown, Tenn.), freshman Lindsay Doucett (Sulphur, La.), junior Carolyn Hill (Collierville, Tenn.), freshman Cassie Kipper (Cape Girardeau, Mo.), sophomore Samantha Mazer (Nashville, Tenn.), freshman Kirby Patterson (Daphne, Ala.), junior Micah Pioreck (Memphis, Tenn.), freshman Kay Sanford (Knoxville, Tenn.) and junior Rachel Taff (Coral Springs, Fla.).
The Ole Miss men continue to look for depth this weekend.
"It should be another race where Justin and Kyle battle for the team lead," said assistant coach Doug Blackwell. "I am expecting an improved finish by the rest of the team. The 3, 4 and 5 positions are still up for grabs. It will be interesting to see who emerges this weekend."
On the women's side Shannon Chandler and Samantha Mazer continue to lead.
"I expect Shannon and Samantha to lead the team with the others trying to improve their position," said Blackwell. "We need improved performances from our 3-8 runners to move up in the team standings."
The Rebels will have the next couple of weeks off, before traveling to Carbondale, Ill., Saturday Oct. 8 to compete in the Saluki Invitational.
