Mississippi State
MSU Invitational
Mississippi State Cross Country Sweeps Teams Titles
September 19, 2009 | Cross Country
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Despite a rain-drenched course that forced a delay and even threatened cancellation, Mississippi State men's and women's cross country teams won their only home meet of the season..
Due to heavy storms that swept the area late Friday night into early Saturday, the MSU course was under about six-inches of water, and other plans had to be made. Saturday morning on a make-shift course at the Mississippi Horse Park's 1,000-meter Horse Track the Bulldogs dominated the field en route to their second-straight sweep of the young season.
"We had to change what we did this morning because our cross country course was under water," Al Schmidt said. "We had about four or five inches of rain in a couple of hours last night. With it being so early in the season we didn't want to risk injury, so the other colleges agreed to race. I was really happy that Mississippi Horse Park let us run on their 1,000-meter horse track."
The men posted a perfect team score of 15 points in the 8K race to give their second win of the season. Louisiana Tech scored 91 points and Alabama- Huntsville scored 94 points to finish second and third respectively.
"Obviously the men dominated today," Schmidt said. "They had a perfect score taking fist through five."
All five of MSU scored runners finished as the Top 5 runners to complete their perfect race. Senior Daniel Simpkins was the first Bulldog to cross the line running 25 minutes, 21.92 seconds.
"It was certainly different racing today," Simpkins said. "It felt more like a track race, but it was better than the course. You've got to be prepared for whatever situations are thrown at you, and I think our team made the most of it."
Freshman Nick Perkins continued to add to his successful inaugural season finishing as MSU's No. 2 runner in 25:25.55. Matthew Cameron, Chase Rathke and Cameron Vincent finished in third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Junior Simone Domingue led the Lady Bulldogs to a home meet victory. MSU scored 25 points, matching its 5K race total from the Sewanee (Tenn.) Invite two weeks ago. Domingue ran 18:27.64 to claim medalist honors.
"Simone ran a real quality race, especially on this course," Schmidt added. "Nicholls State is a good team, and we beat them so I'm happy."
Nicholls State finished second with 38 points, followed by Alabama-Huntsville, West Alabama, Alcorn State and Beville State.
"I felt good today given the situations we ran in," Domingue said. "It was definitely an experience to run on a horse track, but we were able to race, and it gave me a chance to see where I am today and where the team will be going into SEC's and NCAA's."
Freshman Chloe Phillips ran 18:43.90 to finish second individually. Rounding out the Top 5, freshman Adrianna Poole ran 19:16.98 to finish fifth.
Next up for MSU is a trip to Louisville, Ky., Oct. 3, to compete at the Greater Louisville Invitational.
Men's Agate
Team Standings
1. Mississippi State (15); 2. Louisiana Tech (91); 3. Alabama-Huntsville (94); 4. West Alabama (114); 5. Jackson State (149); 6. Nicholls State (155); 7. Alcorn State (199); 8. Millsaps (202).
Individual MSU Results
1. Daniel Simpkins (25:21.92); 2. Nick Perkins (25:25.55); 3. Matthew Cameron (25:42.11); 4. Chase Rathke (26:01.29); Cameron Vincent (26:04..14).
Women's Agate
Team Standings
1. Mississippi State (25); 2. Nicholls State (38); 3. Alabama-Huntsville (86); 4. West Alabama (97); 5. Alcorn State (156); 6. Bevill State (173).
Individual MSU Results
1. Simone Domingue (18:27.64); 2. Chloe Phillips (18:43.90); 5. Adrianna Poole (19:16.98); 8. Dominique Lockhart (19:31.21); 9. Kelly Kartcher (19:37.20).
