On Sunday, Jenny Barringer spoke like a woman who only envisions one way to finish an outstanding NCAA running career.
The fifth-year Colorado senior redshirted last fall after competing in the 2008 Olympics, and returns to race today at LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute after runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2007.
“The last couple times, I don’t think I was considered a favorite to win,” said Barringer, who was second to Kenyan Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech as a sophomore and junior. “It’s exciting that this is the first time in cross that I’m someone that’s considered somebody that could win the meet.
“That’s been a fun experience. I’m trying to take it all in.”
Florida State’s Susan Kuijken also knows something about runner-up finishes at the NCAA meet, taking second to Kipyego last year.
“I’m going to try to get my highest placing ever in cross country,” Kuijken simplified.
Both 2008 individual champions have graduated since last season, as Oregon’s Galen Rupp has moved on to a professional career. But last year’s men’s runner-up is back. Kenyan Sam Chelanga of Liberty University hopes he can take advantage of fast conditions today to chase down NCAA glory after getting outkicked by Rupp last November.
On the women’s side, a repeat champion appears likely as the Washington Huskies go for a second straight title after one of the most dominant victories in NCAA history last year. Coach Greg Metcalf’s squad has fought some more adversity this season, but Washington is “fit and healthy,” he said at Sunday’s press conference at the Holiday Inn.
“Our team is a little more calm, cool and collected this year, and a little more battle tested,” Metcalf said.
Washington became just the 11th women’s program to take hope a title since NCAA Championships began in 1981. One of the programs to win multiple titles, Villanova, has the best chance to be Washington’s spoiler. The Wildcats, dominant winners of the Mid-Atlantic Region, graduated just one senior from last year’s sixth-place squad.
Villanova coach Gina Procaccio said she’s not surprised by her team’s rise. The Wildcats picked off No. 2 Oregon in the Bill Dellinger Invitational, and they haven’t looked back.
“We just kind of went from there. We only had one senior, one junior, four sophomores and a freshman on the 6th place team,” Procaccio said. “Usually you see a big breakthrough in your athlete’s junior year. We’re just more experienced.”
Third-ranked Princeton could also contend if the Tigers experience a good day. The Tigers are led by Liz Costello, who was 11th last year, and three-time champion at the Gibson Course, Alex Banfich of Culver.
“We’ve got a great strategy this year. In basketball, it’s called a box-and-one,” Princeton coach Peter Farrell said. “We’ve got one girl running up front and four of them running together. I kind of like those chances.”
Washington’s Metcalf also likes his chances with a group led by sophomores Kendra Schaaf and Christine Babcock and two-time All-American Katie Follett.
“We can’t dwell too much on last year, we have to keep our focus forward and run a great race [Monday],” said Follett, Washington’s only senior. “Bringing back so much of the same team, I think does help us to carry the momentum we had last year. But it is a different year, and it will be a different race obviously. We’re all just not trying to get too caught up in expectations and pressures.”
Like Follett, Barringer is focused on a good result for her team. The Buffaloes are ranked 6th in the nation after not qualifying for the NCAAs for the first time since 1991 last year. Colorado won national titles prior to Barringer’s arrival in Boulder.
“I’m really excited about the team this year,” Barringer said. “We have some freshman and sophomores that are here for the first time. I’m trying to be a big sister to them.
“I’m one of only two that have been to the national championships before. My teammates always say, ‘if there’s pressure, I’ve dealt with it.’ I think they look up to me in that way. That helps me to remember to be encouraging and a good role model for them.”
College
NCAA Cross Country Nationals: Colorado’s Barringer wants to end her career on high note with women’s NCAA title
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
When you’re a shooter and you’re in a slump, the boilerplate cure is to summon amnesia, forget about your struggles and keep on shooting.
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ISU's Webb wins heptathlon
Indiana State’s Robert Webb captured the heptathlon Saturday at the Grand Valley State Big Meet as he totaled the second most points in ISU history while dominating the event. Webb scored 5,140 points, which is second only to former Sycamore Anthony Bertoli’s 5,189 points in 2008.
Webb, a senior, established three more personal best efforts enroute to the overall victory as he ran 8.45 in the 60 meter hurdles and 2 minutes, 50.73 seconds in the 1,000 meters while also clearing 13-1 1/2 in the pole vault. Webb entered the second day of the event in the lead with 2,893 points after winning three of the four Friday events and setting personal bests in the long jump and shot put. -
Perfect game: ISU shoots NCAA record 12-for-12 from 3-point range in win over SIU
Indiana State set an NCAA record for 3-point percentage and consecutive 3-pointers made Saturday afternoon in Hulman Center, connecting on all 12 attempts during a 78-68 win over Southern Illinois.
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‘Frustrated’ Sycamores regroup to face Southern Illinois
Indiana State’s men’s basketball struggles have hit one Sycamore senior hard.
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Thomas nets double-double as ISU women end losing streak
The halftime speech is one of the most time-worn clichés in sports, but once in a while, it’s meaningful. It certainly was for the Indiana State women’s basketball team on Friday against Bradley.
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Sycamore women looking to snap six-game losing streak
The Indiana State women’s basketball team is in dire need of a victory in Hulman Center this weekend.
Bradley visits Terre Haute tonight looking to sweep the season series from the Sycamores, who are in jeopardy of the program’s first seven-game losing streak since the 1995-96 season.
“I think it should [add to motivation]. There’s no doubt that group in the locker room in there is very disappointed,” Coach Teri Moren said. “As I keep saying, we’re in a rough patch right now, and there’s no group of kids that wants to get right back on track more than they do.” -
Leonard dominates in first half, but IU, Zeller earn the victory
The first half belonged to Illinois’ Meyers Leonard.
The win belonged to Indiana and Cody Zeller.
The 23rd-ranked Hoosiers (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) took advantage of a glaring free-throw discrepancy to defeat the Illini 84-71 on Thursday. -
Rose women roll; Dickerson becomes all-time assists leader
Rose-Hulman senior Alisa Dickerson became the college’s career leader in assists as the Engineers cruised past Defiance 60-33 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women’s basketball Saturday afternoon in Hulbert Arena.
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MVC’s worst a tantalizing option for ISU
Even though the Indiana State men’s basketball team has played better of late, having won three of its last four games, there’s only one team with a worse record in the Missouri Valley Conference standings than the Sycamores.
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Sycamores can’t stop Stutz, Shockers
All or nothing. It was that kind of game for Wichita State center Garrett Stutz. Unfortunately for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team, the “all” came in the second half.
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McWhorter’s fortunes rise with ISU’s
More so than any other Sycamore, Steve McWhorter might embody the decline and the recent rise of the Indiana State men’s basketball team.
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Johnson dominates again for ISU track
Felisha Johnson continued to dominate women’s weight throw while two Indiana State hurdlers moved into today’s finals after solid performances in the preliminaries Friday at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.
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Indiana State women lose at Illinois State
Playing short-handed again, Indiana State’s women suffered their sixth straight Missouri Valley Conference basketball loss Friday night, falling 78-67 to host Illinois State.
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Indiana, Purdue meet with both looking to regain momentum
Indiana University’s stint in the Top 25 may be coming to an end. Purdue is just looking for a winning streak.
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ISU women looking to end five-game losing streak at Illinois State
Within a few points in the final minutes, Indiana State had chances to win women’s basketball games at Missouri State and Wichita State last weekend.
But the Sycamores lost for the fourth and fifth straight games, also losing freshman Jessica Valley for the season at Wichita State. The promising backcourt player tore the ACL in her right knee and began strengthening exercises this week in order to make plans for surgery. -
ISU Senior Day game to be televised on ESPN
The Missouri Valley Conference announced Thursday that Indiana State’s regular season finale against No. 12-ranked Creighton on Feb. 25 in Hulman Center has been chosen as the MVC’s “wild card” game that will be telecast on either ESPN or ESPN2.
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Hoosiers load up on in-state players
With a 1-11 record in his first season as IU football coach, Kevin Wilson knew there were a lot of holes to fill in terms of personnel.
- Wabash Valley verbal commitments
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It’s on: Sycamores, Bulldogs to play at Hinkle on Feb. 18
How badly did Indiana State want to get Butler as its BracketBusters opponent?
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METRO ROUNDUP: Four from Rose receive weekly honors
Four Rose-Hulman athletes earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekly honors, the HCAC announced Monday.
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Hoosiers reclaim needed offensive momentum
Indiana hadn’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent in three straight games heading into Sunday’s home game against Iowa.
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Sycamores will have to match Aces’ toughness
Indiana State men’s basketball coach Greg Lansing has an enduring respect for the toughness Evansville coach Marty Simmons coaxes out of his Purple Aces.
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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Rose, The Woods post weekend victories
Rose-Hulman relied on a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to earn a 55-44 women’s basketball victory Saturday over Mount St. Joseph.
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ISU's Stacia Weatherford sets school record in 60-meter hurdles
Indiana State junior Stacia Weatherford set the school record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, while sophomore Greggmar Swift dominated the action in the men’s 60 hurdles during competition Saturday at the Indiana Relays.
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Rose takes first in Engineer Track and Field Invitational
Rose-Hulman relied on nine event victories, 13 top-two finishes and three school records for a strong performance at the ninth annual Engineer Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
The men’s squad captured first place honors in a meet that featured two of the nation's top 20 NCAA Division III squads and 12 institutions from seven states. The day’s competition also included 10 meet records. -
Mattox’s 31 not enough for ISU women
Indiana State pulled within 63-57 with a 6-0 run with 8 minutes, 50 seconds remaining Friday night at JQH Arena, but the Sycamores lost 84-70 to host Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game.
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Mattox, Sycamores staying positive on road trip to Missouri State, Wichita State
Indiana State seniors Brittany Schoen and Deja Mattox are within striking distance of passing 1,000 points in their women’s basketball careers, and they would join classmate Shannon Thomas in that club. Schoen needs just 16 points, while Mattox is 89 points away.
But Mattox has been on a roll of late, scoring a team-high 15.1 points through ISU’s 4-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play. -
IU triumphs
When Indiana’s Will Sheehey left the floor after receiving his second technical foul, the Hoosier fans cheered.
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ISU women nipped at buzzer
Creighton sophomore Carli Tritz — blanketed by Indiana State senior Brittany Schoen — had just two points at halftime Friday in Hulman Center.
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ISU needs to find chip on its shoulder
When one looks back at the totality of Indiana State’s 2010-11 men’s basketball season, there’s a recurrent theme that tied together the high points in a 20-14 campaign. A recurrent theme that might give ISU a lifeline in what has been a disappointing 2012 season.
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