Peter Kosgei knows what is on the line this weekend at the SEC Indoor Championships in Lexington, Ky. He also has a solid idea of what needs to happen for the Hogs in order to take home Arkansas’ 81st conference title (cross country, indoor and outdoor combined). The Hogs have won the last two SEC Indoor team titles and nine of the last 10 including a seven-season streak (1997-2003).
“Everybody needs to do their job,” Kosgei said. “Every year someone steps up. There is always a surprise.”
This season’s surprise could come from any of the event groups.
Despite an uncommonly-poor performance by the squad as a whole at the Tyson Invitational two weeks ago, Scott MacPherson proved he is a force to be reckoned with after a stellar 5,000-meter run and his first NCAA provisional-qualifying time in the event.
“Scott (MacPherson) had a very good 5,000 meters at Tyson,” Kosgei explained. “He has had some good races this season.”
The Arkansas distance crew is dominating the SEC mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Kosgei has the fastest times in both the mile and the 3K and the second-fastest time in the 5K. Arkansas holds three of the top six times in the mile, four of the top seven times in the 3K and two of the top three 5K times.
The Arkansas jump crew, known for its depth and versatility, could also produce some big performances at the conference level.
Nkosinza Balumbu, an All-American in the triple jump in 2006, was also the 2006 SEC Indoor runner-up in the event. He finished second behind former teammate Jaanus Uudmae.
Similar to the distance crew, the Hog jumpers are also dominating the SEC standings this season. Balumbu is currently the top triple jumper. Three of the top six long jump marks are held by Arkansas while four of the top seven triple jump spots are taken by the Razorbacks. Greg Martin is second in the high jump with teammate Alain Bailey taking the third spot.
Kosgei’s biggest hope is that concentration stays on the SEC Championships and not what has happened earlier in the season.
“At Tyson, we were okay but not great,” Kosgei said. “We didn’t run the way we wanted to run. The meet is usually a good one for us. Tyson is over and we need to move past it. We are focused on SECs and then a strategy for Nationals.”
In the hunt for Arkansas’ 43rd national title, nine Razorbacks have recorded 23 NCAA provisional-qualifying marks in eight events. The squad still lacks its first automatic qualifier.
“I think everyone is back to where we should be,” Kosgei explained. “Coach (John McDonnell) talked to everyone individually and everyone is working on what Coach told them specifically. Everyone is working hard.”
Kosgei, an eight-time All-American and five-time SEC Champion, won the 2006 SEC Indoor 5,000 meters and will look to retain his title in 2007. Kosgei also earned runner-up honors in the 3,000 meters behind former teammate Josphat Boit in 2006.
“My focus is set on winning both the 3K and the 5K,” Kosgei said. “I won both my sophomore season and I want to do it again. My main goal is to win both races. I think I will get a lot of help from my teammates.”
Team effort will definitely be the theme of the weekend.
“We needed to be balanced,” Kosgei said. “We are Razorbacks. Winning is never off the table.”
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