Track | Orange surprises loaded field with 3rd-place finish in 4XMile
By McGhee Cost
Posted: 4/28/08, 10:33 PM EST Section: Sports
The result was even more surprising, considering the 4XMile team was seeded 18th out of 18 teams and shocked the field with its finish. That field included highly touted track programs such as Arkansas, Mississippi State and Michigan.
Fox was ecstatic about his team's finish. He said the coaching staff expected a high finish but hardly one as good as third. Fox said such a finish constituted a big step in the direction of the program's ultimate goal - to become a national powerhouse.
"I think all of us had high expectations going in, and it kind of panned out in how we finished," Heath said. "Being able to run well and be part of something like this is exciting, and it helps all of us gain some confidence."
The weekend's momentum could prove vital heading into the Big East championships next weekend. It was important for the team to succeed in Philadelphia and Ithaca in order to set the tone for conference competition. SU's results this weekend were some of its best in the outdoor season and helped to get it in gear for the championship schedule of the coming weeks.
"We've been doing great this year, and we've had a lot of people qualify for high level meets," Drouin said. "But nothing really counts until you get to the Big East, though. We're going to see a big results from a lot of people."
Despite SU's repeatedly strong performances, Fox is urging his team to remain level-headed going into championship season. Fox will continue to urge his squad to work hard even as it competes on the sport's biggest stages.
"Each week, the meets get a little bigger and the competition gets a little tougher," Fox said. "The team is looking good, but people have to keep working hard."
mpcost@syr.edu
Fox was ecstatic about his team's finish. He said the coaching staff expected a high finish but hardly one as good as third. Fox said such a finish constituted a big step in the direction of the program's ultimate goal - to become a national powerhouse.
"I think all of us had high expectations going in, and it kind of panned out in how we finished," Heath said. "Being able to run well and be part of something like this is exciting, and it helps all of us gain some confidence."
The weekend's momentum could prove vital heading into the Big East championships next weekend. It was important for the team to succeed in Philadelphia and Ithaca in order to set the tone for conference competition. SU's results this weekend were some of its best in the outdoor season and helped to get it in gear for the championship schedule of the coming weeks.
"We've been doing great this year, and we've had a lot of people qualify for high level meets," Drouin said. "But nothing really counts until you get to the Big East, though. We're going to see a big results from a lot of people."
Despite SU's repeatedly strong performances, Fox is urging his team to remain level-headed going into championship season. Fox will continue to urge his squad to work hard even as it competes on the sport's biggest stages.
"Each week, the meets get a little bigger and the competition gets a little tougher," Fox said. "The team is looking good, but people have to keep working hard."
mpcost@syr.edu
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