Splichal Jakosky lead Lady'Backs to season opening win

FAYETTEVILLE – Juniors Penny Splichal and Laura Jakosky led the way as the Arkansas Lady Razorback cross country team scored a near-perfect 16 points in their season opener versus Missouri Southern at the Fayetteville Invitational. “We’re obviously pleased with the team result, especially considering the number of athletes we held out for this race,” UA women’s cross country coach Lance Harter said. The former SEC Freshman of the Year Splichal covered the 5,000 meter course at Agri Park Cross Country Complex in 17:42.19, besting her teammate Jakosky’s 18:07.56. “We’re opening up the year low key, but it was chance to go out and run as a team for the first time,” Splichal said. “It was a chance to get our feet wet and get ready for next week when we take on the national course.” Splichal stayed with the pack early, but made her move coming across the obstacles and down-grade near the 1K marker. Opening up a 10 meter spread, worked her way through the Razorback Meadow portion of the race to have command by 15 seconds as the race made the turn at Farmer’s Widow. “Penny took control of the race early and ran very consistent,” Harter said. “It was a good opening race for her.” Jakosky ran a solid tactical race, holding off the shoulder of teammate Tiffany Redlarczyk through the first 1,000 meters. Redlarczyk edged ahead of Jakosky during the flat Razorback Meadow portion, but Jakosky caught her teammate at the 90-degree turn near Farmer’s Widow. She opened stride down the slope into the starting meadow to take second place for good. “Today was a great day to just go out and run and feel good,” Jakosky said. “We respect every competition we have, and the chance to run together and run hard was important. We’re not going full bore just yet, but it felt good on the course.” Sophomores Kristina Smith and Lea Carruthers kept a steady pace during the opening portions of the race, and moved up on Redlarczyk as the race wound its way past the starting meadow. Smith made her move on the climb through 2,000 meters to pass the freshman which put her into a solid third place finish, followed by Carruthers moving up near 3,000. “Christina had one of her best races today,” Harter said. After 3,000 meters, it appeared Arkansas might come away with the perfect 15, but Missouri Southern’s Erin Click managed to pull even with Redlarczyk in the final 1,000. Redlarczyk made a finish chute push, but Click was able to hang on to a five-second margin for fifth place overall. The Lady’Backs prepare for their first full-team event at Terre Haute, Ind., at the Indiana State Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Fayetteville Invitational
Friday, September 3, 2004Fayetteville, AR – Agri Park Cross Country CourseWomen’s Race – 5,000 meters
TEAM SCOREARKANSAS (1-2-3-4-6) 16Missouri Southern (5-7-8-9-10) 39INDIVIDUAL RESULTS