Troy University Athletics
Saturday, October 15
Troy, Ala.
10 / 10:45 am
Troy University
vs
TBA
Last year's Cross Country team at the Coach O Invite
Photo by: Cass Davis
12th Annual Coach "O" Invitational
10/12/2011 2:28:00 PM | Cross Country
The 2011 Cross Country Coach “O” Invitational will be held this Saturday at the Trojan Oaks Golf Course.
“We are proud to honor Coach O, Charles Oliver, former Troy Trojan All American and current school record holder in the 400 meters, by hosting the Coach O Invitational,” said Coach Jill Lancaster, Cross Country and Track Field Director.
Coach O sponsors 30 different programs throughout the country, and began the Coach “O” Invitational at Troy for both cross country and track and field in 2000.
“Coach O continues to support our program as well as the sport of track and field and cross country throughout the nation,” said Coach Lancaster.
He founded Bags by Coach O in 1989, which specializes in athletic bags, team apparel, track and field equipment, event management, and consulting and lectures.
“Our athletes need to know and understand the history of the program, and who came before them,” said Coach Lancaster. “Our runners look forward to representing at the highest level on Saturday.”
Both teams have not competed since the Florida State Invitational, and during the three weeks off, Coach Casey McDermott said they have been training hard.
“The time off has given them time to get in some quality workouts that are going to pay off in the next couple weeks,” said Coach McDermott. “The team is anxious to compete again.”
The top performer for the women's team, Morgan Paulson, said she is looking forward to this meet.
“Even with all the injuries, our team is staying strong and moving forward,” said Paulson. “I think we are going to do great at Coach “O” and even better at conference.”
The men's team has had many people step up and finish well for the Trojans. Sophomore David Hudman has finished first for the men's team in the last two meets.
“I've just been trying to relax when I race, and not think about too much,” said Hudman. “Kemper Morton and Alec Hamm have been training really hard, and I wouldn't be surprised if they outperform me this week.”
Eight teams will be competing this Saturday, with the men racing on the 8K course at 10:00 a.m., and the women racing on the 5K course at 10:45 a.m.
The top female and male runners will receive a Coach “O” watch, and the top 10 finishers will receive a t-shirt.
After finishing the meet Saturday, the teams will have two weeks to prepare for the Sunbelt Conference Championship in Bowling Green, Ky.
Feature Athlete is Morgan Paulson
Morgan Paulson is the number one long distance runner for the cross country team.
Running as always come natural for Morgan, therefore Morgan developed a passion for running. Morgan and her twin sister Allison Paulson chose to attend Troy University together. Both of the girls are on the Cross-Country team.
Morgan Paulson comments, “People think that just because we are twins, and we train together that we are going to be exactly the same, but we are two individuals. We both have our own running styles. We both perform at different levels.”
The biggest thing that the twin girls have is encouragement and support for one another. They push each other and try to beat the clock together.
Since Morgan has been competing for Troy for three years now, she has learned a few value concepts about competing in Cross-Country.
One is to run with passion. Two is to always strive for the betterment of yourself and then that will impact the team positively. The third is concept is to run for you.
“It's not about racing others; it's about beating your best run.”
Morgan and her sister will both be running in the Coach "O" Invitational this weekend.
“The best part about having a home meet is to see fans out there cheering for Troy. Even if they are not out there for me, personally, it is awesome to see supporters come out.”
“We are proud to honor Coach O, Charles Oliver, former Troy Trojan All American and current school record holder in the 400 meters, by hosting the Coach O Invitational,” said Coach Jill Lancaster, Cross Country and Track Field Director.
Coach O sponsors 30 different programs throughout the country, and began the Coach “O” Invitational at Troy for both cross country and track and field in 2000.
“Coach O continues to support our program as well as the sport of track and field and cross country throughout the nation,” said Coach Lancaster.
He founded Bags by Coach O in 1989, which specializes in athletic bags, team apparel, track and field equipment, event management, and consulting and lectures.
“Our athletes need to know and understand the history of the program, and who came before them,” said Coach Lancaster. “Our runners look forward to representing at the highest level on Saturday.”
Both teams have not competed since the Florida State Invitational, and during the three weeks off, Coach Casey McDermott said they have been training hard.
“The time off has given them time to get in some quality workouts that are going to pay off in the next couple weeks,” said Coach McDermott. “The team is anxious to compete again.”
The top performer for the women's team, Morgan Paulson, said she is looking forward to this meet.
“Even with all the injuries, our team is staying strong and moving forward,” said Paulson. “I think we are going to do great at Coach “O” and even better at conference.”
The men's team has had many people step up and finish well for the Trojans. Sophomore David Hudman has finished first for the men's team in the last two meets.
“I've just been trying to relax when I race, and not think about too much,” said Hudman. “Kemper Morton and Alec Hamm have been training really hard, and I wouldn't be surprised if they outperform me this week.”
Eight teams will be competing this Saturday, with the men racing on the 8K course at 10:00 a.m., and the women racing on the 5K course at 10:45 a.m.
The top female and male runners will receive a Coach “O” watch, and the top 10 finishers will receive a t-shirt.
After finishing the meet Saturday, the teams will have two weeks to prepare for the Sunbelt Conference Championship in Bowling Green, Ky.
Feature Athlete is Morgan Paulson
Morgan Paulson is the number one long distance runner for the cross country team.
Running as always come natural for Morgan, therefore Morgan developed a passion for running. Morgan and her twin sister Allison Paulson chose to attend Troy University together. Both of the girls are on the Cross-Country team.
Morgan Paulson comments, “People think that just because we are twins, and we train together that we are going to be exactly the same, but we are two individuals. We both have our own running styles. We both perform at different levels.”
The biggest thing that the twin girls have is encouragement and support for one another. They push each other and try to beat the clock together.
Since Morgan has been competing for Troy for three years now, she has learned a few value concepts about competing in Cross-Country.
One is to run with passion. Two is to always strive for the betterment of yourself and then that will impact the team positively. The third is concept is to run for you.
“It's not about racing others; it's about beating your best run.”
Morgan and her sister will both be running in the Coach "O" Invitational this weekend.
“The best part about having a home meet is to see fans out there cheering for Troy. Even if they are not out there for me, personally, it is awesome to see supporters come out.”
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