Cross Country Fact Sheet #3

Two Races, Two Wins: The Lady Razorbacks are starting the 2007 season in much the same fashion as 2006, by winning. In two races this fall, Arkansas has picked up two wins and is looking for a third at the Bill Dellinger Invitational in Eugene, Ore.
Last Loss: The last time the Lady Razorbacks did not win a regular season competition in cross country dates back to October 2005 when they finished third at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival.
The Bill Dellinger: Arkansas faces its toughest task of the fall this weekend at the Bill Dellinger Invitational. Six of the nation’s top 25 teams are scheduled to be in attendance including #15 Georgia, #17 Washington, #18, BYU, #21 Colorado St. and the host, #24 Oregon.
Last Fall at the Bill Dellinger: The Lady Razorbacks were surprising winners at the 2006 Bill Dellinger Invitational. Entering the competition with one of the youngest teams in the nation, Arkansas placed five runners among the top 10 to claim the team title with a 20-point victory over BYU. Then freshman Dani Parry was Arkansas’ top finisher at fourth overall, followed closely by Brooke Upshaw, Dacia Barr, Denise Bargiachi and Christine Kalmer.
Freshmen Rule: At least that is what Arkansas’ 2007 freshman class has been calling from the rooftops so far this season. In two competitions, Arkansas’ freshmen Catherine White and Jillian Rosen have finished first among Lady Razorback runners.
Out Recruiting What You Have: That has always been the coaches’ motto. You must out recruit the athletes that you have in order to become a better team. Lance Harter has done a masterful job of that over the past several years as the bulk of his cross country squad is freshmen and sophomores with experienced juniors leading the way.
Rosen Leads the Lady’Backs: Freshman Jillian Rosen was more than Arkansas’ top runner at the Aztec Invitational two weeks ago. The freshman from Dallas, Texas, is currently Arkansas’ leading runner when you look at placing and winning percentage. In two competitions this fall, Rosen has placed second and third overall and owns a staggering .981 winning percentage. Her closest competition on the Lady Razorback roster is fellow first-year Catherine White at .962.
A Tale of Two Sisters: Jillian Rosen is more than just an up-and-coming cross country runner. She is also a well trained Lady Razorback. Jillian’s sister Holly was a Lady Razorback soccer defender between 2002 and 2005.
Lady’Backs Steady at Four: The Lady Razorbacks remained fourth in the country in the latest USTFCCCA Rankings published on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Gaining eight points in the latest poll, Arkansas is still behind Stanford, Michigan and Colorado in the ranking.
A Ratings Boost: If Arkansas can perform well at the Bill Dellinger Invitational this weekend it could get a boost in the next set of rankings. The Lady Razorbacks face five top 25 teams at the event who currently stand at #15, #17, #18, #21 and #24.
Tight Pack: If there is one thing that Arkansas is great at its running as a pack. Coach Lance Harter takes pride in his team’s ability to run together and that was never more evident than at the Fayetteville Invitational where the top five Lady’Backs were just 1.9 seconds apart. The difference was a bit larger at the Aztec (13 seconds), but the results the same, an Arkansas win. If the Lady Razorbacks can keep themselves close throughout the season there is no telling where they could go.
SEC Freshman of the Week: Fresh off her victory at the Fayetteville Invitational, Catherine White was named the SEC Freshman of the Week by the league office on Tuesday. White won her first collegiate competition at the Fayetteville Invitational and takes her first freshman of the week honor.
First Time: For the first time the Southeastern Conference is naming a freshman of the week in cross country. Catherine White’s appointment makes her the first in SEC and Arkansas history to win the weekly award.
First Race, First Win: Freshman Catherine White got her Lady Razorback cross country career off to a fast start with a victory at the Fayetteville Invitational. She is the first true freshman to win her first collegiate race since Christine Kalmer won the Fayetteville Invite in 2005.
Arkansas’ Lineup: The Lady Razorbacks plan to bring 10 women to the Bill Dellinger Invitational. Planning to compete are seniors Caroline Peyton and Tiffany Redlarczyk; juniors Denise Bargiachi, Jennifer Harper and Christine Kalmer; sophomores Megan Jackson, Dani Parry and Miranda Walker; and freshman Jillian Rosen and Catherine White.
SEC Freshman of the Year: Last fall, Dani Parry was so good for the Lady Razorbacks that she earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Parry was consistently a member of Arkansas’ top seven and one of its top four runners in four of seven races.
Third Freshman of the Year: Dani Parry’s SEC Freshman of the Year award is not new to a member of the Lady Razorbacks. Since the awards inception in 2001, three Lady Razorbacks have been bestowed its honor. Aside from Parry, Christine Kalmer (2005) and Penny Splichal (2001) have also earned the award.
SEC Preseason Poll: In the annual SEC Preseason Poll the Lady Razorbacks were the overwhelming favorite to win the SEC title. Garnering all 11 of the first-place votes it could have received (Arkansas was not allowed to vote for itself), the Lady Razorbacks picked up the maximum 121 points. Tennessee, who received the only other first-place vote finished second with 105 points with Florida a close third at 102.