Arkansas-Pine Bluff Cross Country Teams Open Season
9/5/2009 7:25:43 PM
MEMPHIS, Tenn.- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff freshmen Ninfa Barnard (St. Croix) and Charles Johnson (St. Louis, MO) helped lead their teams to a ninth and eighth place finish at the Memphis Twilight Cross Country meet, hosted by Christian Brothers University.
It was the first meet of the season for the Golden Lions as both teams prepare for the prestigious Chili Pepper Meet in Fayetteville next month. Transfer students Karla Atencio and Monica Carillo both from Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California were a little tense for their first meet but vowed to perform better next week at the Delta State Invitational.
“All of our upper classmen showed signs of fatigue in this meet” said UAPB Head Cross Country Coach Curtis Pittman. “I know what they are capable but I don’t want us to be two weeks behind in our training.
Karla, Monica and Jackie Chumo have run under 19 minutes and are the favorites to win the SWAC this year after coming in 3rd last year. Jimmy Oribo and John Bwete both transfers from Universities in Uganda led the Golden Lions team along with Johnson. 2007 SWAC CC Champion Moses Alukuyang who is recovering from an illness struggled in the meet.
Stephen Kipkurui and Geoffrey Kosgei absences prevented UAPB from having a higher finish and a possible victory but both are expected to be ready for the Delta State Invite. Freshman Dexter Lyles came in 145th but was the 5th countable athlete for the Golden Lions team.
“We will have a couple of athletes who did not run yesterday,” Pittman added. ”That will make a difference next week. This 2009 CC season has fewer meets than the past in order to allow us to peak at the right time. I have learned that incorporating more mileage in between meets and giving the athletes a break from competition every other week improves their performance and attitudes towards cross country,” concluded Pittman.
UALR, Harding and Arkansas State barely beat out UAPB but they will all run against each other this weekend at Delta State.