The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Set to Begin Cross Country Season
8/29/2014 | Track and Field
OXFORD, Miss. - The cross country season begins for Ole Miss Saturday night at the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic.
The Rebels return a strong, experienced core to build around and lead the teams into the 2014 season.
"I like where we are right now as a team," head coach Brian O'Neal said. "Our athletes really worked hard over the summer and reported to fall camp in good conditioning."
The men's team, predicted to finish third in the SEC by the league coaches and ranked fourth in the USTFCCCA South region, returns sophomores Robert Domanic and Trevor Gilley while welcoming impact newcomers like freshman Sean Tobin, Northeastern transfer Wesley Gallagher, junior Daniel Bulmer, redshirt freshman Mark Shaw and others.
Domanic was an All-Region selection last year, while Gilley earned SEC All-Freshman honors. Tobin was named SEC Men's Indoor Freshman Runner of the Year after arriving at Ole Miss in January. Last season at Northeastern, Gallagher made the NCAA Cross Country Championships as an individual.
Ranked seventh in the South Region in the USTFCCCA poll, the women return seven letterwinners from last year, led by sophomore Mary Alex England and senior McKenna Coughlin. A talented class of newcomers further bolsters the team.
After walking on last fall, England has made extreme strides and shown great ability. During the outdoor track season, she shattered the 10,000-meter school record in her first attempt at that distance.
The Twilight Classic gives the runners a distinctive experience, running under the lights to kick off the year.
"The Twilight Classic is a unique event, but at the end of the day it's about getting out on the course and competing," O'Neal said.
The meet is hosted by Christian Brothers University at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The women's 5K race is set for 9:20 p.m., with the men's four-mile following at 10 p.m.
Regionally ranked teams also competing are Mississippi State (Men: 15th South, Women: 4th South), Central Arkansas (Men: 13th South Central, Women: 10th South Central), Memphis (Men: 13th South), UALR (Men: 14th South Central), and Arkansas State (Women: 8th South Central).
Players Mentioned
