Runners Excited for Chile Pepper Invitational

NORMAN, Okla. The Oklahoma Sooners cross country teams head to Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 16, for the Chile Pepper Invitational at the Agri Park Cross Country Course.

“This is the last opportunity before the conference championship and regional meets,” Rothoff said. “I'm excited about competing this weekend after how hard we have worked in practice the last two weeks. We've made positive adjustments since our last meet.”

The Chile Pepper is one of the most prestigious cross country events in the country, bringing runners from all across the country for races in collegiate, high school, junior high and open divisions.

“Our expectations are no different than for any other race,” OU head coach Rodney Rothoff said. “We will go out there and run very hard like we are expected to.”

The college men's 10K race will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the women's 6K will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Last year, the men's team finished second overall while the women placed ninth. It will be the first 10K of the year for the Sooner men.

“It will be an adjustment for some of the men,” Rothoff said, “but it will prepare them well for the NCAA Midwest Regional.”

The Sooner women, led by Jessica Eldridge, will face tough competition from the women of No. 11 Southern Methodist and several other quality runners.

“This is a good opportunity to for Jessica to compete with a great group of front-runners,” Rothoff said.

The Sooners are returning to conventional cross country action after last weekend's Red River Relays hosted by Southern Methodist. The fastest teams in both the men's and women's divisions were Sooners. Catherine Odell and Aja Clark completed their combined 12K in 43:15. Blake Culp and Salah Hussein finished their 12K relay in 36:45.

“If we stay focused and execute our plan,” Rothoff said, “we should produce some excellent results.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Runners Excited for Chile Pepper Invitational

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