The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Big 12 Championships
No. 24/29 Cross Country preview: Big 12 Championships
10.29.2020 | Track & Field / Cross Country
The Longhorns continue their pursuit of a conference title in Lawrence on Friday.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas men's and women's cross country teams wrap up their fall slate at the Big 12 Championships on Friday in Lawrence. It is the third time the conference meet has been held in Lawrence, and the first time since 2014.
Both Longhorn teams won their only event of the season to date, sweeping the team and individual titles at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station, Texas on Oct. 17. The Texas Men had five of the top-six finishers, including individual medalist Haftu Knight, and won the team crown with an 18-point team effort. The women, meanwhile, scored 23 points, had six of the top-11 finishers and seven of the top-20. Those top finishers included individual medalist Beth Ramos, who picked up her first career win on the 6K course and was later named the Big 12 Runner of the Week for the first time in her career.
In last year's Big 12 Championships, the Longhorns finished third on the men's side and second on the women's. The Texas Women finished just two points shy of winning their first cross country title since 1989, while the men are still in pursuit of their first league crown since 1992. Ramos and Claudine Blancaflor, both All-Big 12 performers at last year's conference meet in Waco, Texas, are back this year for Texas, in addition to Knight on the men's side.
The year's men's race features three teams ranked in the USTFCCCA national rankings, including the Longhorns, who currently sit at No. 24 in the country. On the women's side, Texas paces the field with its No. 29 national ranking.
Friday's meet will be available for fans to watch on delay via Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Lincoln Rose and Johanna Gretschel will have the call. The women's 6K is set for a 10 a.m. CT start, followed by the men's 8K at 11 a.m. CT. Live results will be available via Prime Time by clicking here.
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Players Mentioned
