The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational
Cross Country faces large field at Notre Dame
09.27.2017 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Longhorns look to make statement at Joe Piane Invitational
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Cross Country hits the road this week for its first large meet of the fall. With more than 20 teams expected to race at the Joe Piane Invitational on Friday afternoon, the Longhorns will be on a packed course for the first time this season as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play host at the Burke Golf Course.
Texas is coming off victories for both the men and the women at its home meet two weeks ago.
Now the Longhorns will see ranked opponents for the first time in 2017 with Notre Dame's women standing at No. 12 in this week's USTFCCCA Coaches Poll. The field boasts seven ranked women's teams, including No. 1 Colorado, No. 3 New Mexico, No. 7 NC State and No. 9 Arkansas. The men's field has four top 30 teams with No. 4 Colorado headlining the competition, and the Texas men are receiving votes in the latest poll.
Coach Brad Herbster said he is looking forward to seeing how his team responds in a much larger race against tough competition.
"It's going to be pretty competitive, and it's a great opportunity for us to get in there and race like we want to race at Big 12," Herbster said. "It's going to be really important to try and pack it up because it's going to be a large field. We have to concentrate on making sure we are where we need to be early because the course is pretty hard to navigate. It's a good opportunity and one we have to take advantage of."
The meet will include a blue and gold division for the men and women. Texas is running in the blue division with the women set to run at 12 p.m. Central. The men will follow at 12:45.
Herbster said with so many ranked teams in the women's field it will be a good chance to test themselves and show what the Longhorns can do against some regional and conference teams they will face again down the road.
"We have a very capable front six or seven women who can get up in there and score at a high level. We need to go out and race as a group," Herbster said. "Destiny Collins has been running really well so far this season and I expect her to go up and see where she's at against not only some of the best runners in the country but also the region and the conference."
After this week's Joe Piane Invitational, the Longhorns will have one more regular season race before hosting the Big 12 Championship on October 28 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
More Quotes
Texas Cross Country Coach Brad Herbster
On the importance of transitioning from running smaller meets to a meet with many more teams and runners in the field: This race especially because it really is determined after the first 1,000 meters. This year we have to make sure we're in a lot better position going into the first turn where you turn pretty abruptly.
On the women's race: On the women's side we have to manage the field better than we did last year. Now we know the course and what to expect, especially from that first turn. Out of the 20 teams, there are 10 ranked or receiving votes. It's going to be a pretty good field, but there are teams I know we can beat and have to beat.
Ranked Teams Participating at Joe Piane Invitational
Women
Colorado: 1
New Mexico: 3
NC State: 7
Arkansas: 9
Notre Dame: 12
Ohio State: 26
Utah: 27
Men
Colorado: 4
Washington State: 11
Southern Utah: 13
NC State: 30
Players Mentioned
