Bulldogs Cross Country Teams Gear Up For SEC Championships

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Confidence will be the key for the Mississippi State cross country teams as they travel to South Carolina Monday for the SEC Championships.

The meet will be held at Fort Jackson’s Hilton Field and is slated to begin at 9 a.m.

“This will be our toughest meet to date,” senior Adam Lenz stated. “We haven’t raced everybody in the SEC yet, but I’m confident that we are ready, and if we give it our all we can finish in the top half.”

Finishing in the top half fits right in with the goal of contending for SEC championships that coach Houston Franks has set for his teams. Individually, Franks says there are several runners in the mix for all-conference and all-freshman honors.

 “The top 14 runners make all-SEC, and there are about 30 guys running who all stand a shot of being up there, and I can proudly say that a couple of those guys are on our team,” Franks said. “For the women, we have three to four who are certainly in the mix for all-conference. Additionally, we have runners on both men’s and women’s side who stand a good shot of making all-freshman teams.”

On the men’s side, Franks is looking to Lenz and his demonstrated success to guide the team in his final SEC meet.

“Lenz is one of our top runners,” Franks added. “In cross country, you score your team’s top five runners, and I cannot think of a time Adam has not been there. He is the meat and potatoes of our team and has served in every capacity from top finisher to supporting cast member. On Adam is the foundation of what we want to do here at MSU, and on the track he serves as almost an assistant coach, and I am looking for him to continue that role at the SECs.”

Lenz seems to be ready for the challenge saying, “I’m nervous, because it’s a big meet. The SEC is tough, but this being my fourth SEC, I’m confident and I’m ready to go out there and give it my all.”

Being picked 9th in the preseason polls has got the Lady Bulldogs lacing up with a purpose.

“When the polls first came out, the girls were a little upset, but that has only motivated us more,” Franks said. “Renee (Masterson), Haley (Greenwell), Dominique (Lockhart), and Katie (Hutson) are all at their best and are all going to run great. We are coming in with a chip on our shoulder, and we will finish better than picked.”
                                                                                          
The SEC championships will certainly be a tough test for the Bulldogs, but the teams are confident, prepared, and ready to show the rest of the conference what they are made of achieving.