2000 Mules & Jennies Cross Country Preview

Central Missouri State University cross country coach Kirk Pedersen has become accustomed to his men's team being the defending Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association champions, as the Mules have won the title five straight years. This season Pedersen also has his women's team in the role of defending conference champions, as the Jennies captured their first-ever league cross country crown last fall.

With the majority of both squads returning from last season, Pedersen has good reason to feel confident about his team's chances to defend their titles in 2000, especially since the MIAA Championships will be contested on CMSU's home course.

Not only have the Mules won five straight conference titles, but they have also made five straight trips as a team to the NCAA Division II Championships, finishing seventh last year to go with two second-place finishes and a sixth-place showing in previous years. Of the Mules' top eight runners in last year's MIAA meet, all of whom finished in the top 25, only Matt Lucas is not returning.

Senior Vladimir Golias, last year's men's individual conference champion, leads the Mules' returners. He was fifth in 1998 and third in 1997 before winning last year's meet and also is a three-time track and field national champion in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

Juniors Greg Winter, Paul Bennett and Joe Mack were fourth, seventh and 12th, respectively, at last year's league meet. In addition, the Mules also return junior Jay Hill (16th at the MIAA meet) and seniors Brayce Forsha (19th) and Joe Conley (24th).

In winning last year's title by one point over Pittsburg State University (56-57), the Jennies placed all five of their scoring runners in the top 20 and all five return this season.

Junior Rachel Harvey was the Jennies' top conference finisher, placing fourth, and she went on to finish 35th at the Division II Championships. Senior Amber Neal and junior Erica Foltz placed seventh and eighth, respectively, in the MIAA meet. Sophomores Carrie Riedel and Tonia Neumann completed the Jennies' scoring by finishing 18th and 19th, respectively.

In addition to last season's top five, the Jennies also return juniors Melissa Short and Jane Rudkin and sophomores Jill Call and Melanie Hill.