University of Georgia Athletics
XC Gunning For Trip To NCAA Championships
November 14, 2008 | Cross Country
ATHENS, Ga. --- Members of the Georgia cross country teams will be attempting to extend their season as they travel to Maryville, Tenn., to compete in the NCAA South Regional Championships on Saturday morning.
While the starting gun will fire to start the women’s 6K at 10 a.m., the men’s 10K is scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m. This will be the Lady Bulldogs’ third straight 6K of the 2008 season but the first 10K this season for the Georgia men.
With the top two teams from all nine regions automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships (Nov. 24), the Georgia women come into the meet ranked fourth in the South Region behind Florida State, Florida and Tennessee, respectively, according to the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll. The Seminoles are ranked third nationally while the Gators are 15th.
The Lady Bulldogs won their only NCAA South Regional title on this same course in Maryville in 2006.
“I understand the NCAA selection process and it looks like we need to be in the top two teams finishing,” Georgia coach Jeff Pigg said, adding that 13 at-large teams from across the country will also be chosen for the national meet. “I would like nothing more to break into those top two spots not just because we would advance, but because we would be beating a couple very good teams. We need our front runners to run well and the girls who are new to the top five to also show up and have strong performances.”
A pair of senior Lady Bulldogs are joining juniors Bridget Lyons and Katie Weise, sophomores Kylie Foley and Emily Houston and freshman Jennifer Barbi in Saturday’s race. Natalie Picchetti, who was seventh at the 2007 regional meet, and Kiah Vernon, who was 13th last season, both return for their final shot at a trip to the national meet in Terre Haute, Ind. Picchetti and Vernon were both named to the All-Southeastern Conference team while Barbi was part of the All-SEC Freshman team.
The top four individual finishers not on qualifying teams also receive automatic bids to the NCAA meet. Pigg believes both of his seniors have a shot at extending their seasons.
“I wouldn’t bet against Picchetti because usually when the big lights come on, she is ready to run,” Pigg said. “Kiah has done a nice job this season and is enjoying herself. She needs to get up there in the top 10 and I think she is capable of that.”
The Georgia women have advanced to the NCAA Championships three out of the last four years, including a 22nd-place finish at the 2007 meet. Picchetti was an All-American last year after crossing the finish line in 27th place.
On the men’s side, No. 5 Alabama and No. 12 Auburn are the favorites for the automatic bids. Georgia comes into this weekend’s meet ranked 12th in the 15-team South Region.
Pigg is traveling six Bulldogs to Maryville. Led by junior Caleb Vogt, who finished 30th at the SEC Championships, seniors Jesse Marino and Dustin Tetley will join a trio of freshmen – Miles Svoboda, J.P. Hackney and Matt Cleaver – on the course at the Lambert Acres Golf Club.
“We need to continue to do the things we have been doing all season to develop this team for the future,” said Pigg. “This will be the longest race we have run this year so it will be some great experience for our youngsters. I’ll be interested to see what the guys are made of in this one.”
The Bulldog men are attempting to advance to their first national meet since 2004. That season, Simon Ngata was the sixth overall finisher, bringing All-America honors back to Athens.
Results and a recap from Saturday’s meet will be posted at georgiadogs.com.
While the starting gun will fire to start the women’s 6K at 10 a.m., the men’s 10K is scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m. This will be the Lady Bulldogs’ third straight 6K of the 2008 season but the first 10K this season for the Georgia men.
With the top two teams from all nine regions automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships (Nov. 24), the Georgia women come into the meet ranked fourth in the South Region behind Florida State, Florida and Tennessee, respectively, according to the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll. The Seminoles are ranked third nationally while the Gators are 15th.
The Lady Bulldogs won their only NCAA South Regional title on this same course in Maryville in 2006.
“I understand the NCAA selection process and it looks like we need to be in the top two teams finishing,” Georgia coach Jeff Pigg said, adding that 13 at-large teams from across the country will also be chosen for the national meet. “I would like nothing more to break into those top two spots not just because we would advance, but because we would be beating a couple very good teams. We need our front runners to run well and the girls who are new to the top five to also show up and have strong performances.”
A pair of senior Lady Bulldogs are joining juniors Bridget Lyons and Katie Weise, sophomores Kylie Foley and Emily Houston and freshman Jennifer Barbi in Saturday’s race. Natalie Picchetti, who was seventh at the 2007 regional meet, and Kiah Vernon, who was 13th last season, both return for their final shot at a trip to the national meet in Terre Haute, Ind. Picchetti and Vernon were both named to the All-Southeastern Conference team while Barbi was part of the All-SEC Freshman team.
The top four individual finishers not on qualifying teams also receive automatic bids to the NCAA meet. Pigg believes both of his seniors have a shot at extending their seasons.
“I wouldn’t bet against Picchetti because usually when the big lights come on, she is ready to run,” Pigg said. “Kiah has done a nice job this season and is enjoying herself. She needs to get up there in the top 10 and I think she is capable of that.”
The Georgia women have advanced to the NCAA Championships three out of the last four years, including a 22nd-place finish at the 2007 meet. Picchetti was an All-American last year after crossing the finish line in 27th place.
On the men’s side, No. 5 Alabama and No. 12 Auburn are the favorites for the automatic bids. Georgia comes into this weekend’s meet ranked 12th in the 15-team South Region.
Pigg is traveling six Bulldogs to Maryville. Led by junior Caleb Vogt, who finished 30th at the SEC Championships, seniors Jesse Marino and Dustin Tetley will join a trio of freshmen – Miles Svoboda, J.P. Hackney and Matt Cleaver – on the course at the Lambert Acres Golf Club.
“We need to continue to do the things we have been doing all season to develop this team for the future,” said Pigg. “This will be the longest race we have run this year so it will be some great experience for our youngsters. I’ll be interested to see what the guys are made of in this one.”
The Bulldog men are attempting to advance to their first national meet since 2004. That season, Simon Ngata was the sixth overall finisher, bringing All-America honors back to Athens.
Results and a recap from Saturday’s meet will be posted at georgiadogs.com.
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