The LSU cross country teams begin their seasons Saturday as both the men and the women travel to Starkville, Miss. for the Pre-Southeastern Conference Invitational. The Tigers return only three runners from last season. Senior Christina Porter, the only remaining women’s runner to have run in the 2007 SEC meet, believes this year is all about developing the younger runners.”This is a rebuilding year. We’re going to go out there and do our best,” said Porter. “The girls understand that their success will come in years to come.”LSU coach Mark Elliott understands it will take time and hard work to make up for the loss of his graduated seniors. “We’re in a unique situation,” he said. “We graduated the entire team last year. This year there are new athletes on the team except Christina Porter.”Being the most experienced, Porter knows that her new teammates will need her guidance and leadership. “My role is to teach the girls as much as I can and to get them on a basic routine,” said Porter.On the other hand, LSU’s men’s team returns plenty of experienced runners from last year. The team recorded four top-5 finishes, including a 5th place finish in the NCAA South Central Regional championships.”We have a more experienced team this year,” Elliott said. “The goal is to try to finish high in the conference.”Elliott looks for senior Jacob Simmons to lead the team this season after running a personal season-best 31:02.1 in the 10K course at the NCAA South Central Regional championships, earning him all-region honors. “If the season goes well for him, as an individual he has a shot of making it to the national meet,” Elliott said. Simmons said he wants lead by example by repeating as all-regional and earning a bid to the NCAA championships.”I know I’m a leader, but I’m not a vocal leader,” he said. “I lead through my actions more than anything.”Despite losing former Tiger Joseph Simuchimba, who was the fifth Tiger in school history to qualify for the NCAA cross country championships, Elliott remains optimistic.”We still have Jake Simmons, Michael Florek, and Alan Sticker,” said Elliott. “They may not be stars like Joseph, but a collection of very good runners can also make [the team] better than it was last year.”
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Contact Jarred LeBlanc at [email protected]