Cross Country Set to Open Season at New Mexico Junior College
The 2010-11 sports season is set to kick-off this weekend for the South Plains College athletic department when coach Chris Beene's Texan and Lady Texan cross country teams travel to Hobbs, New Mexico. The Lady Texans will participate in the Bob Jackson 5,000 meter run, while the Texans will open the season with the Ross Black 8,000 meter run hosted by New Mexico Junior College.
The Lady Texans return their top two finishers from last years squad that finished third place at the 2009 NJCAA cross country championships in Peoria, Illinois. Lisa Forsberg, a native of Sweden, crossed the line in 23rd place, while Kadian Dunkley finished 31st. The SPC women will have to rely on newcomers to round out the rest of the team, but this does not worry Beene.
"We are young but we have some very good talent. Lisa and Kadian are two phenomenal young ladies who are good student-athletes and they will be good leaders for our team," the seventh year SPC head coach said.
The Texan team enters the season very young with only one sophomore, Elijah Rollock, on the squad. However, they did gain some experience with the transfer of Joey Villareal from West Texas A&M who will be competing as a sophomore. The Texans look to improve upon their fourth place showing at the 2009 NJCAA cross country championships.
"We have a good group on both sides, men and women, so we are excited about starting the year," says Beene. "The first meet the kids are tired because we have been working them really hard, but this meet will give us a chance to see where we are at."
Competition begins at 9 a.m. for the women and 9:45 a.m. for the men on Saturday, September 11.