CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University men's cross
country team will face its first test at the eight-kilometer distance when it
competes at the Old Timers Classic, at 10:45 a.m., Saturday, hosted by Western
Kentucky at Kereiakes Park in Bowling Green, Ky.
The eight-kilometer distance is significant for the Govs as
their next five races, including the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, will
be run at that distance. Saturday's race also will give Austin Peay a look at
some of its OVC competition as the field includes Eastern Kentucky, Morehead
State, UT Martin and Tennessee Tech. In addition, Marshall, host Western Kentucky
and Bellarmine will compete.
Austin Peay has shown promise in its first two
shorter-distance races with the trio of junior Enock Langat, junior Boniface Yator
and sophomore Geofrey Kosgei leading the way in forming a tight pack up front.
Behind them, Evan Collins, Tyler Kepley and Konnor Kessler have struggled to
maintain contact with that front three, something that will be necessary for
the Govs to compete long term.
"Right now, we are running as a
close pack with the men and I'd like to see us continue that," said APSU cross
country coach Doug Molnar. "We will need to have the differential between our
top five runners less than 90 seconds and I'd like to see it closer to 60
seconds. Langat, Yator, and Kosgei are running tough and together. Now, we just need for Collins, Kepley, and
Kessler to close down on them a little. I think we are more suited to the
longer distances based on our personnel and our training, so it should be
interesting to see how we compete this weekend."
- AP -