Cross Country

Oct. 12, 2011

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State cross country team continues action this Friday, Oct. 14 at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational hosted by Wisconsin. Racing begins at 2 p.m. at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.

For the men, Friday's meet includes 21 of the 30 teams ranked in last week's national coaches poll by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as well as another six squads that received votes. On the women's side, the meet features 16 of the 30 teams ranked in the latest USTFCCCA poll, as well as two others who are receiving votes.

Where We Rank
In the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) weekly poll, the women find themselves ranked 15th after their strong performance at the Roy Griak Invitational. Regionally, the women continue to sit atop the Great Lakes Region standings, while also holding the best national ranking in the Big Ten Conference. This mark's the highest ranking for the women since Nov. 18, 2008, when MSU finished the season ranked No. 13 nationally.

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

Conference Recognition
Junior Shaka Dukes and sophomore Olivia Sydow of the Michigan State cross country team were both been named Big Ten Cross Country Runner of the Week by the conference office on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Both individuals finished tops for the Spartans at the Michigan Intercollegiate Championships to earn All-Michigan honors.

Last Time Out
MSU took to the course for the 2011 Michigan Intercollegiate Championships hosted by Hillsdale College. The women placed first overall as a team in the 5k, while the men did not post a team score in the 8k, due to running only four individuals.

For the women, they quickly solidified why they were ranked 15th in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association weekly poll, as they took home the team crown by 27 points. The Spartans posted a team score of 48 points, paced by a fourth-place finish by Olivia Sydow. Sydow clocked in at 18:29.13 to lead the Green and White.

The men saw a majority of the roster take the week off, however four individuals were in action this weekend. Leading the Green and White at Hillsdale College was Shaka Dukes. Dukes placed third overall, clocking in a time of 26:22.17 for third place.

Next Up
The Spartans will travel to Dexter, Mich., on Friday, Oct. 21 for the EMU Fall Clasic hosted by Eastern Michigan. Racing begins at 5:30 p.m. at Hudson Mills Metro Park.

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