Mwaura leads Razorbacks to runner-up finish in Missouri
COLUMBIA – Arkansas newcomer Josphine Mwaura led the Razorbacks to a runner-up team finish in the Mizzou Opener on Friday morning, covering the 5,000m distance on the Gans Creek course in 17 minutes, 14.1 seconds.
Host Missouri, led by individual winner Suzy Lecoutre (17:04.2), won the team title with 19 points. Arkansas finished runner-up with 42 points, followed by Saint Louis (86) and Wisconsin (100).
“Overall, it was a really good start for the group we had running,” said Arkansas women’s cross country coach Marc Burns. “I thought they had some big improvements over just a year ago here. I think their training and fitness is at a better level than it’s been in the past.
“I thought we did a good job of staying relaxed in the first 2k loop. Then it’s good to get that feeling in the second loop, where it’s time to get aggressive and time to get competitive. That’s just going to be a piece where we’re going to have to get better at, but I thought they did a good job. They all moved up pretty well in that second loop and finished strong.
“We were looking for some good solid performances, and to get some nice experience on this course and I think we did that, we accomplished that goal.”
Mwaura, who previously competed at Oklahoma State and Kansas State, moved from fifth place at 3,000m to equal with Lecoutre as they led the field at 4,000m. Lecoutre covered the final 1,000m in 3:12.8, breaking away in the final 500m for the victory, as Mwaura followed with a 3:22.7 split.
It was the first time Mwaura has raced on the Gans Creek course which will serve as host of the NCAA Championships in November.
“It was good for Josphine to see this course,” Burns stated. “She followed the race plan really well. We wanted them to just kind of hang in the front pack the first 2k and just stay relaxed. Then they could move as the pack moved over the second 3k.
“She did a good job, she covered everything except the last 500m or so, when the Missouri girl just kind of kicked a little bit harder than she did. So, I think she felt pretty good, and I think it’s a great start for her. The transition she’s making is fantastic. She’s just a super, super sweet young lady and the women on the team really like her. I think she’s fitting in really well, so I’m excited about where she’s at and where she’s headed.”
Missouri runners produced 19 points off a 1-3-4-5-6 finish as the Razorbacks 42 points came off a 2-7-10-11-12 effort.
Bradley Weimer was the second Arkansas runner, placing seventh with a time of 17:35.3. Sanu Jallow-Lockhart, who holds UA records in the indoor and outdoor 800m, made her cross country debut with the Razorbacks in finishing 10th in 17:58.0.
“That was really good to see from Bradley and I think there’s more there,” said Burns. “She had a great summer of training and I think her fitness level is even better than that. I think she’ll show that as the season goes on. That was a great start for her.
“Sanu’s debut was phenomenal, she just did a great job in her first cross country race ever. She really looked good and continues to amaze me with how strong she is out there over longer distances. I think she will build from this and it was a great start for her as well.”
Madeleine Gear placed 11th as the fourth Arkansas runner with a time of 17:58.6 while Sorcha Shiu completed the Razorback team score in placing 12th in adjusted scoring and 13th overall with a 18:01.0 clocking. Morgan Kirkland was the sixth runner for Arkansas, placing 16th in 18:03.2.
“It’s really important for us to get out here, see the course and race on it,” noted Burns.“It was great opportunity. The course is in great shape, it was a beautiful morning here, so that really helped a lot. It wasn’t crazy muggy, it was nice and cool. The sun started beating down on them during the second loop. It could have been a lot worse.”