Completed Event: Cross Country at Cowboy Preview on August 29, 2025 , , 2nd - M/3rd - W
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Cross Country
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooners Head to Indiana for Pre-Nationals
October 13, 2016 | Cross Country
With the Big 12 Championship two weeks away and the NCAA Midwest Regionals a mere month away, it is reaching crunch time for the Sooners to hone in on their individual and team performances. The Pre-National Invitational, to be held Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind., will provide the next opportunity for the University of Oklahoma men's and women's cross country teams to do just that and to improve their regional rankings.
More so, this weekend's test could have an even bigger impact. The NCAA Championship will also be held at this course on Nov. 19, so this race presents the Sooners with a chance to preview and experience the terrain.
“The significance of this race is that it's a dress rehearsal,” explains associate coach Kevin Ondrasek. “They get to go see it, feel it, and learn how to manipulate the course to best suit their strengths.
“It's a huge advantage. There are a couple nuances to the course, areas and things that you can learn to exploit and take advantage of other people. Because it's been awhile since we've been there, most of our competitors and our team have never seen the course before."
The last time Oklahoma ran this course was in 2013, as last year's event was held in Louisville, Ky., also the site of the NCAA Championship. Only senior Elena Arriaza competed in 2013, placing 44th.
Beyond becoming familiar with the course itself, the Invitational will allow the teams to show their merit against another quality field of competitors who they could potentially see again, many among the best in the country.
Included in the 40 other men's teams slated to join the Sooners in the men's Blue Race will be, with the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll results, No. 4 Oregon, No. 5 Arkansas, No. 6 Colorado, No. 7 Portland, No. 12 UTEP, No. 13 Indiana, No. 15 Eastern Kentucky, and No. 20 Michigan. Other notable teams competing are Louisville, California-Berkeley and Dartmouth, teams that received votes in the Oct. 4 poll.
“On the men's side, we are bringing our top seven. They have earned their spots through practice and through racing,” says Ondrasek.
Running the men's 8,000-meter race for the Sooners will be Eric Alldritt, Dylan Blakenbaker, Nic Butts, Alonzo Chavez, Zach Gentry, Liam Meirow and Brendan Taylor.
For the first-year associate coach, the goal is to see a cohesive unit. “We are hoping to see pack running on the men's side. I believe we have four men who, if they really learn to work together, can be the team they started out the season hoping to be.”
The women will be going up against 40 other teams in the women's Blue Race as well against a field that includes USTFCCCA-ranked No. 2 Colorado, No. 5 Portland, No. 7 Stanford, No. 9 Oregon, No. 12 Arkansas, No. 13 Michigan, No. 16 Eastern Michigan, and No. 22 Virginia. Also running will be Mississippi State, Butler, Cal Poly, California, Florida, Indiana and Dartmouth, teams that received votes in the poll.
Representing Oklahoma in the women's 6,000-meter race will be Elena Arriaza, Ashley Johnson, Hayley Redwine, Isabella Rose, Sarah Scott, Brittany Tretbar and Belle Wallace.
When it comes to the women, Ondrasek's outlook is very upfront in regard to what he is looking for. “On the women's side, we're looking for someone to step up and be a leader. They still haven't learned how to be a team yet, to be honest. I'm looking for someone to step up. I don't care who - freshman, sophomore, junior, senior - it doesn't matter to me.”
Regardless of the runner, Ondrasek has the same overarching goals for all who are donning the Oklahoma jersey Saturday. “I want to see both teams, men and women, run smart in a serious situation. Any time the pressure has been on this season, we've seen people fall by the wayside. I want to see, from start to finish, every competitor run smart and not be sidetracked by all of the other runners.”
The women are scheduled to lead off the day with their race at 10 a.m. (CT) with the men to follow at 10:35 a.m (CT).
A recap, along with results, will be posted at the conclusion of the races on Soonersports.com. Additionally, live stats can be found at www.rtspt.com/events/ncaa/prenats16. The meet will be streamed via Flo Track http://bit.ly/2dpy86W and a subscription is required to watch the event. As always, the Sooners can be followed on Facebook (Oklahoma Sooners Track & Field and Cross Country), Twitter (@OU__Track) and Instagram (OU__Track).
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