Highlight from the 2014 Brooks Memphis Twilight Cross Country Classic

Cross country is BACK! The 2015 NCAA season has officially begun, starting with the Brooks Memphis Twilight Cross Country Classic. While the ‘Kolas points’ portion of the season doesn’t officially start until late September, these next three weeks will be a chance to see some of the top teams in the nation come together early on in the season. Every year FloTrack loves to start the season with a bang in Memphis, TN, and this year the meet will be even more exciting with national champion Rhianwedd Price and podium dark horse Ole Miss men in the mix.

 

The official entries were released earlier this week HERE. A quick look at the entries shows three teams that stand out among the rest. Alabama women, Mississippi State women, and the Ole Miss men's squad will not only be the favorites at the Memphis Twilight, but will also be in contention at the NCAA Championships in Louisville, KY this November.

 

Three Teams To Watch:

Alabama Women (Pre-Season #31)

Katelyn Greenleaf and the Alabama women start their march to the NCAA Championships with the Memphis Twilight. The senior heavy squad is ready for a breakout year. This race will be also interesting to see how incoming freshman transfer Rachael Reddy (via University of Texas) does in her first race with her new team. Coach Waters expects Reddy, who won the USATF Junior 5K Championship this past summer to be a key member for the Crimson Tide.

 

Mississippi State Women (Pre-Season #23)

The 2014 Memphis Twilight Champion, Rhianwedd Price returns to Memphis to defend her title and also lead a core group of ladies searching for a top 20 finish at NCAAs. Price had a phenomenal year last season, starting and ending with a win (Memphis Twilight -> NCAA 1500m Outdoor Final). Now in her junior year, Price is back on the Memphis course ready to repeat what she did last year. But keep an eye on teammate Marta Freitas who will be challenging Price up front and vying to be the 1-2 punch that the Bulldogs need in order to have a deep post-season run.

 

Ole Miss Men (Pre-Season Ranking TBA)

Get ready because head coach Ryan Vanhoy has something special cooking in Mississippi. There is a reason the Ole Miss men haven’t been ranked in FloTrack’s Saucony Flo50 rankings just yet. It’s because they are ranked higher than most people will expect. Even the coaches under-ranked the Rebels in the pre-season poll (#15 USTFCCCA). After this weekend, the Ole Miss men should open the eyes of the NCAA and show that they are a legit podium-contending team. We can't get into why, but instead we'll just list their roster…
 

JR MJ Erb (3:46 1500; 8:07 3K; 8:50 3K Steeple; 14:05 5K; 37th NCAA XC ’14)

SR Ryan Walling (3:45 1500; 8:06 3K; 14:01 5K; 48th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Ryan Manahan (3:58 Mile; 8:01 3K)

SR Wes Gallagher (4:02 Mile; 8:10 3K; 14:02 5K; 80th NCAA XC ’14)

JR Craig Engels (3:40 1500; 14:20 5K)

JR Robert Domanic (4:00 Mile; 8:12 3K; 14:08 5K; 112th NCAA XC ’14)

JR Trevor Gilley (4:03 Mile; 8:17 3K; 14:03 5K; 211th NCAA XC ’14)

SO Sean Tobin (3:42 1500; 8:29 3K; 14:16 5K)

Stay tuned for more coverage of the 2015 Brooks Memphis Twilight XC Classic