By Brandon Davis
The University of Louisville men’s cross country team will have a target on their backs this Friday as they, along with the women’s team, will compete in the 2008 Big East Championships in New York.
The men’s team claimed the 2007 conference title and are confident in defending their crown.
“Anytime you are the returning conference champion, there is going to be pressure to defend your title,” said Brice Allen, U of L’s head coach. “As our men enter this championship they will have that in the back of their minds.”
The meet starts Friday, beginning with the men in the 8,000 meter race followed by the women’s 6,000 meter race.
The men have been led recently by freshman Matt Hughes who has placed the best finishes in the last two meets with a No. 14 place finish in the Greater Louisville Classic and a No. 67 place finish in the Pre-Nationals.
“I think I can be right up there with the best of the guys competing and if I go at it conservatively I can hopefully finish in the top 15 or 20,” Hughes said. “If I can run my race and the team as a whole runs our kind of race, we will be fine.”
The men’s team went on to finish No. 21 in the field of 41 in the men’s white race while scoring 628 points.
The women’s team will look to improve upon last years eighth place finish in the meet and will be led by junior Tarah McKay. Coming off a No. 12 place finish in last weekend’s Pre-Nationals, McKay set a personal best time in covering 6,000 meters in 20:29.1. Her finish was her best ever at the event and 15 positions improved from last year’s No. 27 place finish.
“Tarah is taking that step from being a good runner to a great runner,” Allen said. “I am very pleased with her progression. She’s done fantastic this season.”
The women finished No. 27 in the field of 41 with 745 points in the women’s blue race.
“Our women’s team has just got to get healthy, period,” Allen said. “We’re excited to see (the women) have a full squad like when we started in August.”
The teams are aware that it will be a difficult task to reclaim their spot of tops in the conference. In a sport where team success is based on the strong performances set by individuals, the Cards will need their top performers to be at their best if they hope to achieve what last year’s team was able to produce.
