The Devils got off to a hot start in the 2016 season, taking either first or second as a team in all three meets leading up to the adidas Pre-National Invitational, where the results aren't what head coach Louie Quintana was hoping for. This week provides an opportunity for the men and women to recalibrate before the Pac-12 Championships in just over a week.
"The focus is on our preparation in training right now," said Quintana. "We are fully focused on the Pac-12 Championships in Tucson – mentally preparing and sharpening physically. We know that we are in the greatest cross country conference in the nation, so we, as coaches, are in full teaching mode at this point. Our objective is to give them the skillset to compete at the highest level next week. Friday's home meet fits perfectly in our training plan for many. We will utilize the meet to work on team running and patience."
Quintana has a detailed plan for each of his runners this week and expects each of them to execute to prepare for what will be necessary in a much bigger field in Tucson for the conference meet.
Only six men -- CJ Albertson, John Reniewicki, Brandon Boys, Michael Coccia, Nick Dale and Kyle Shinn -- will run this week at Papago. The women, however, will run 11 including Chelsey Albertson, Courtney Lewis, Jenna Maack, Billie Jo Dytrt, Carissa Diaz, Lauren Gavulic, Alexis Nichols, Anna Pruter, Megan Reniewicki, Kelly Schock and Mia Townsend.
The field includes Arizona, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Central Arizona C.C., Mesa C.C. and Dine College. The men for Northern Arizona currently boasts the No. 1 ranking in the country, while the New Mexico women rank No. 7.
"The meet has evolved quite well over the past few years into a great opportunity for teams in Arizona and the surrounding states to compete on a great course at Papago Golf Course," said meet director and assistant coach Jeremy Rasmussen. "It is a great way to work our way into the championship portion of our season."
On Friday, the women will start the meet with their 3-mile trek beginning at 4:20 p.m., while the men take off on their 4-mile run at 5 p.m.
LAST YEAR AT THE ASU INVITE
The Sun Devils return in 2016 as the defending team champions at the ASU Invite, as Cody Brazeal and Shaina Corbin led the respective team's with second-place finishes overall.
All five scorers for both men and women all finished in the top 11, with the men having the only returning scorers competing this week -- Nick Dale and Brandon Boys.
UP NEXT
Both men and women head south for Tucson, as the University of Arizona hosts the Pac-12 Championships. This will be the first opportunity for ASU to earn full points in the annual Territorial Cup® rivalry with Arizona.
ALUMNI EVENT (Oct. 21-22)
Sun Devil Track and Field is jumping out of the blocks for an eventful weekend surrounding Cross Country's annual Arizona State Invitational, as the program hosts an alumni reunion the weekend of Oct. 21-22.
The ASU Invite will kick off the festivities on Friday, Oct. 21 with the first race beginning at 4:20 p.m. at Papago Golf Course. All spectators and alumni members are welcome. Following the meet, there will be a dinner hosted for all ASU Track and Field Alumni at the golf course.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, members of the 1977 and 2007 National Championship teams will honored during a quarter of the ASU vs. Washington State football game. Additionally, there will be an alumni tailgating event prior to the start of the game.
For more information about the alumni reunion, contact graduate assistant Mason McHenry at (480) 965-9929 or mpmchenr@asu.edu.