After a solid performance two weeks ago in Flagstaff, the ASU cross country teams will get one more tune-up race before the first big event next weekend.
The teams will compete in the Dave Murray Invitational Friday in Tucson. The meet, which recognizes team victory but not individual placing, features ASU, UA, and several community colleges in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
Coach Louie Quintana will race his top eight women with the exception of sophomore Camille Olsen and senior Sunni Olding, who were feeling under the weather.
Included in those eight is junior Kari Hardt, who has not raced in five months and will try to run with the top group.
“She’s been training well,” Quintana said. “We’ve been really cautious. We want her to really hit it hard towards the end of the year.”
Quintana said he’s interested to see what UA will bring to the table.
“U of A is getting better every year,” Quintana said. “The women’s team is much improved.”
On the men’s side, Quintana hopes the race will help sort out this year’s team.
“We’re still flirting with our roster,” Quintana said.
In addition to the top male racers, several freshmen will also run the race unattached, essentially competing for a spot on this year’s roster.
“I’m curious to see the freshmen compete,” Quintana said. “We’re really curious to see where they’re at … getting them in a race-type situation.”
Quintana said he will use the freshmen runners’ performances in determining which men will compete this season and which will redshirt.
The race will also provide a good opportunity for the ASU and UA teams to see where they stand in comparison with each other.
“We’re very similar,” Quintana said. “It will be a good little marker for those teams.”
Quintana said the teams will try to conserve energy for the Roy Griak Invitational on Sept. 27, the first race of the season will feature many of the country’s top teams.
Reach the reporter at cyrus.karimi@asu.edu.
