BYU Men’s Cross Country isn’t worried about their Mountain Regionals outcome
As No. 3 BYU Cross Country takes on the Mountain Regionals this weekend, there isn’t a lot they are worried about to qualify for Nationals.
The Mountain Regionals are being hosted by Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX. Unlike most of their meets, Regionals is set to be a 10k race, rather than an 8k. However, BYU is locked and ready to go. With it being longer than usual, how have they prepared for Regionals in general?
“We’re just coming in and making sure we are refreshed. The more we run the more tired we will be for Regionals, so it’s important that we’re staying recovered no matter what,” BYU Cross Country runner Creed Thompson said.
Creed Thompson is an All-American on the BYU Men’s Cross Country team and has been one of their top runners. With Regionals being important, the team knows that Nationals are the most important afterwards. Although Creed is a top runner and a great asset, he is being rested this meet to help him recover for Nationals the week after.
BYU Cross Country has been a strong team for awhile now. As they have prepared for Mountain Regionals, they have seen the strengths in their team and what they need to get done in order to go to Nationals. Up until this point, many athletes have shown out and done much to help the team get to where they are right now.
In their previous meet at the Big 12 Conference Championships, the team was able to finish second. There, a few athletes were able to place within the top-15, earning them spots on the Big 12 All-Conference Team. One being, Creed Thompson in third place, Joey Nokes finishing fifth, and Freshman James Corrigan placing 13th.
The biggest competition for the Cougars will be No.1 Northern Arizona, who recently won the Big Sky Conference Championships last month. However, BYU has high hopes for the race.
Being a strong team, the Cougars have good athletes to lean on.
“Kenneth Rooks is our all-star runner. He is in good shape, he’s competitive, and scary. James Corrigan is consistent, reliable, and has been looking good,” Creed Thompson said.
Although some athletes are being rested this week, BYU isn’t worried that they won’t perform what they’ll need to qualify on. They know it’s for the best since Nationals is starting to become the main focus.
“Our goal is to at least get second. The boys just need to get the job done, work together, and do what they need to do to qualify for Nationals,” Creed Thompson said.
