Cross Country Returns to Michigan Intercollegiate Championships

Spartans will travel within state for third of four Michigan races this season.

Redshirt sophomore Leah O'Connor travel to Michigan Intercollegiates for second straight year

Oct. 4, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State cross country program returns to action this Friday, Oct. 5 for the Michigan Intercollegiate Championships hosted by Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. Competition will be held at the Gainey Athletic Complex cross country course with the Varsity Men's 8,000-meter race to begin at 4 p.m. followed by the Varsity Women's 5,000-meter race at 4:45 p.m.

The race marks the Spartans second competition in less than a week, as the program traveled to the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday, Sept. 29 in Louisville, Ky.

Where We Rank
In the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) weekly poll, the women find themselves ranked 10th after their strong performance at the Greater Louisville Classic. Regionally, the women continue to sit at second in the Great Lakes Region standings. This mark's the highest ranking for the women since Nov. 4, 2008, when MSU was also ranked No. 10 nationally.

On the men's side, MSU is currently fifth in the USTFCCCA Great Lakes regional rankings.

Last Time Out
MSU traveled Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, Sept. 29 to race in the Greater Louisville Classic for the first team-scored event of the season. Overall, the women were the top-finishing Big Ten team as they placed third overall with 135 points, while the men placed eighth with 249 points.

The men opened up the strong day for the Spartans with in the Men's Gold Competition. Leading the Green and White in the race was redshirt senior Josh McAlary. The Jackson, Mich., native posted a season-best time of 24:30.91 to finish 33rd overall. Redshirt sophomore Ben Carruthers crossed the finish in 24:37.78 for 44th place, also a season-best time.

The Spartan women concluded the day in the Women's Gold Competition. Junior Sara Kroll was the first Spartan to cross the finish line in 16:57.13, good for fourth-place. Redshirt sophomore Leah O'Connor had a top-20 finish with a time of 17:14.14 for 18th-place.

Next Up
The Spartans will travel to Madison, Wis., on Friday, Oct. 12 for Wisconsin adidas Invitational hosted by Wisconsin. Racing begins at 12 p.m. at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.