Posted: September 6, 2007

Athletics: Razorbacks Open 2007 Cross Country in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas cross country will open the 2007 season with the hosting of the Arkansas Duels, Fri., Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. The four-mile race will take place at the Razorback Cross Country Course at Agri Park. Missouri Southern will be competing with the Hogs. Back from the 2006 season will be top returners All-American Kenny Cormier, All-SEC performer Shawn Forrest and All-American Scott MacPherson. Last year at the Arkansas Invitational, the Hogs recorded a perfect team score of 15 points as five lettermen crossed the finish line in a time of 20:12. All-American Peter Kosgei finished in the top spot. Kosgei, Seth Summerside, MacPherson, Forrest, and Cormier crossed the finish line in 20:12. Daniel LaCava finished sixth with a time of 20:36. Rio Reina, making his Razorback debut, finished 13th with a time of 22:53 in the four-mile race. Head coach John McDonnell, in his 36th season with the Hogs, welcomes back eight lettermen and 12 newcomers for the 2007 season, including three seniors Shawn Forrest, Tyler Hill and Matt Munoz, who hope to lead the Hogs back to the top of the collegiate cross country scene. This season’s squad is comprised of six freshmen, four sophomores, seven juniors and three seniors. With plenty of eligibility remaining, McDonnell can expect this squad to continue Arkansas’ SEC domination and solid effort in leading the Razorbacks back to No. 1 in the nation. In its heralded history, Arkansas has produced 11 NCAA cross country crowns. The Cardinal and White have also won three individual NCAA titles from two student-athletes, Joe Falcon (1987) and Godfrey Siamusiye (1995 and 1996). At the 2006 NCAA cross country championships, Arkansas earned a fifth-place finish with Kosgei, Summerside and MacPherson earning All-America honors. McDonnell has led Arkansas to 33-consecutive conference cross country titles and 16-consecutive SEC cross country titles. When the Razorbacks travel to Kentucky for the 2007 SEC Championships, the Hogs will be contending for Arkansas’ 34th-consecutive conference title and its 17th-consecutive SEC title. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest