Women hurting, men improving
By Andres Cardenas
Daily Forty-Niner
With less than three weeks left before
the Big West Conference Championship meet, the Long Beach State men's cross
country team is on an upswing while the women are worn-out.
The 49er women had to deal with illnesses
and injuries in addition to other competing schools at the Long Beach Invitational
held Saturday at El Dorado Park East.
Freshman Kelly Dickerson collapsed to the
ground after crossing the finish line and was helped up by LBSU Athletics
Director Bill Shumard who was working as a volunteer at the meet.
"All [female] runners are hurt and are
suffering from illness," said LBSU cross country Head Coach Andy Sythe.
The main injuries the women are currently dealing with are located in their
feet, shins and knees, according to Sythe.
The LBSU women tied with Azuza Pacific
for sixth place with 178 points. UCLA won the team event with a score of
34. Elaine Canchola of UCLA won the womenís event with a time of 17 minutes
and 28 seconds. Monica MacManus was the top LBSU runner with a time of
18 minutes and 58 seconds.
According to Sythe, MacManus was the healthiest
on the womenís team. Sythe added that he would do what he can to improve
the health of the womenís team, which may include rest.
Asmerom Bolota of California won the menís
competition with a time 24 minutes and 16 seconds. Larry Henderson was
the top 49er with a time of 24 minutes and 52 seconds, good enough for
eighth place.
California won the team event with a team
score of 33. LBSU finished in third place with a score of 76.
Sythe said that Henderson and Johann Appel
looked good. Henderson said he agrees the team is improving.
"After the Triton Invitational we should
be ready to go (to the Big West Conference meet)," Henderson said. |
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