Fresno State Athletics
Cross Country turns in solid performanced at WAC Championshiips
11/4/1999 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 30, 1999
Fresno, Calif. - The future is bright for the Fresno State Cross Country teams after an excellent showing at the WAC Championships at Woodward Park on October 30th. The overall team championships were captured by both Rice squads, but Fresno State showed it belonged.
In the men's 8,000 meters, the Bulldogs surprised many by taking third place. The 1999 men's preseason coaches poll had the 'Dogs ranked sixth, mostly because of its young team. But youth prevailed this time as the top five 'Dogs to finish were all freshmen. Led by Phillip Ogilvie, who placed 12th and won Freshman of the Year honors, the top five completed the race within a remarkable 30 second interval. Ogilvie set a personal best with a time of 26:01, 25 seconds faster than his previous record. In fact, all five freshmen, Ogilvie, Robert Vaca, Alex Mason, Josh Roddy, and Sean Moody, set personal best marks.
"We all ran great [at WAC]," said freshman Robert Vaca who finished 14th in a time of 26:16. "We showed the rest of the WAC we're good and that we'll be strong in the future."
Throughout the season Ogilvie, Mason, and Vaca all ran on the heels of senior Tim Padilla. It was only a matter of time before they broke out with stellar performances. Although Ogilvie didn't finish in the top 10 his teammates stayed close behind him, which ultimately decided their high finish.
"I thought the best possible scenario would be for us to take third," head coach Red Estes said, "and we sure did."
The women's squad took sixth with freshman Sandi Russler leading the way. Russler posted a personal best of 19:01 and finished 20th overall. Sophomores Rachel was the second Bulldog to cross the finish line. She also ran a personal best of 19:06. Senior Laura Bracht turned in her best performance of the year, finishing 28th and registering a season best time of 19:16.
