Troy University Athletics
Troy Hosts Trojan Invitational Saturday
9/2/2009 3:15:00 PM | Track & Field
TROY, Ala. - Most of the attention this week around the world of college athletics is focused on the opening weekend of college football, the Troy University cross country teams are preparing for their upcoming run at the Sun Belt Conference Championships.
The Trojans will start that run with the season-opening Trojan Invitational at the Trojan Oaks Golf Course Saturday morning.
“We are delighted to open the season at home with the second annual Trojan Invitational,” Troy Director of Track and Field/Cross Country, Jill Lancaster, said. “It will be exciting to see our new coach Stephane Hetheringon in action. The kids have been working hard and adapting to the new training regime he has put on them.”
Last season, the Trojan men won the event while the women finished third overall. The Trojans' Jeremy Moujoodi and Denzel Ramirez placed second and third on the men's side, while Jenean Corcoran won the event on the women's side.
But, that was last year. With a new season, comes a new coach and a new philosophy to the 2009 cross country season.
“My goals for this weekend's race are hard to measure,” Hetherington said. “I expect everyone to be running on tired, sore legs because of our rigorous last few weeks. I am not looking for our team to be the fastest this early on in the season because we set our sights on performing when it counts, at conference in late October.”
Although the season is just starting this weekend, the team has been together since the beginning of the semester, and that has started to pay off in the eyes of Hetherington.
“The team has been training at full volume since our first day of practice,” he said. “The three to four weeks that have had leading up to our first meet was crucial in setting many standards for the remainder of the season. I have set a high standard of participation and intensity. We meet six times per week, beginning at 6 am, for the bulk of our daily workout regimen and there have been no absences to this point.
“During that time I have seen marked improvement in every athlete who has put forth the necessary work to succeed under my program in only a few weeks time.”
That work ethic will be needed this weekend, as the Trojans will line up against some of the best the state and the region have to offer.
Auburn University will be among the biggest of the names competing this weekend in Troy, as the Tigers were picked to finish second on the men's side and fourth on the women's side in the always tough Southeastern Conference.
“”Auburn is obviously the team with the strongest credentials,” Lancaster said. “This is an opportunity for our student-athletes to step up to the challenge.”
Other teams competing this weekend include Alabama State, Albany State, Florida A&M, Huntingdon, Spring Hill and Tuskegee. Several other unattached athletes will be competing in the meet as well, including former Troy University runner and Academic All-American Michael Green.
All of that pales in comparison to what Hetherington is looking for out of his runners on Saturday.
“I am looking for them to be the smartest and toughest runners out there,” he said. “I need to gauge who might be lacking the 'fire in their eyes' and who has it all ready. Then I can set the tone accordingly for the rest of the season.”
The meet will start at 9:30 am at the Trojan Oaks Golf Course. Admission is free to all track and field/cross country events.
For up-to-the-minute information, check with TroyTrojans.com. For ticket information, contact the Troy University Athletics Ticket Office at 1-877-878-WINS (9467).
The Trojans will start that run with the season-opening Trojan Invitational at the Trojan Oaks Golf Course Saturday morning.
“We are delighted to open the season at home with the second annual Trojan Invitational,” Troy Director of Track and Field/Cross Country, Jill Lancaster, said. “It will be exciting to see our new coach Stephane Hetheringon in action. The kids have been working hard and adapting to the new training regime he has put on them.”
Last season, the Trojan men won the event while the women finished third overall. The Trojans' Jeremy Moujoodi and Denzel Ramirez placed second and third on the men's side, while Jenean Corcoran won the event on the women's side.
But, that was last year. With a new season, comes a new coach and a new philosophy to the 2009 cross country season.
“My goals for this weekend's race are hard to measure,” Hetherington said. “I expect everyone to be running on tired, sore legs because of our rigorous last few weeks. I am not looking for our team to be the fastest this early on in the season because we set our sights on performing when it counts, at conference in late October.”
Although the season is just starting this weekend, the team has been together since the beginning of the semester, and that has started to pay off in the eyes of Hetherington.
“The team has been training at full volume since our first day of practice,” he said. “The three to four weeks that have had leading up to our first meet was crucial in setting many standards for the remainder of the season. I have set a high standard of participation and intensity. We meet six times per week, beginning at 6 am, for the bulk of our daily workout regimen and there have been no absences to this point.
“During that time I have seen marked improvement in every athlete who has put forth the necessary work to succeed under my program in only a few weeks time.”
That work ethic will be needed this weekend, as the Trojans will line up against some of the best the state and the region have to offer.
Auburn University will be among the biggest of the names competing this weekend in Troy, as the Tigers were picked to finish second on the men's side and fourth on the women's side in the always tough Southeastern Conference.
“”Auburn is obviously the team with the strongest credentials,” Lancaster said. “This is an opportunity for our student-athletes to step up to the challenge.”
Other teams competing this weekend include Alabama State, Albany State, Florida A&M, Huntingdon, Spring Hill and Tuskegee. Several other unattached athletes will be competing in the meet as well, including former Troy University runner and Academic All-American Michael Green.
All of that pales in comparison to what Hetherington is looking for out of his runners on Saturday.
“I am looking for them to be the smartest and toughest runners out there,” he said. “I need to gauge who might be lacking the 'fire in their eyes' and who has it all ready. Then I can set the tone accordingly for the rest of the season.”
The meet will start at 9:30 am at the Trojan Oaks Golf Course. Admission is free to all track and field/cross country events.
For up-to-the-minute information, check with TroyTrojans.com. For ticket information, contact the Troy University Athletics Ticket Office at 1-877-878-WINS (9467).
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