With two events in the books, the LSU men’s and women’s cross country teams will host the LSU Invitational at Highland Road Park this Saturday.
Although he considers it one of the warmer meets, senior Phillip Primeaux said he enjoys running the Highland course because it’s where he and some other cross country team runners competed in high school.
Both the men’s and women’s teams finished in the top five in the Rice Invitational in Houston, Texas on Sept.. 12, with the women’s teams placing third and the men’s team placing fifth. Primeaux said the veteran presences and talented freshmen have contributed to the teams’ early success.
“That’s kind of been our strength, coming from both of those parts,” Primeaux said. “The more that we can kind of bridge the gap and get closer together, that’s how we’re going to get better.”
Primeaux said the team has been getting to know the slightly adjusted running course to prepare for this weekend’s home meet. He added that even though this isn’t the biggest event of the season, he wants the team to go out and put forth their best effort.
“I love running the home meet,” said senior Andria Aguilar. “It’s where we practice every week, and you just learn every single turn. Everything seems so manageable and under your control.”
Aguilar said she has struggled with the mental aspect of the sport. She began running at a young age and grew weary of the continuous process of trying to compete at a high level.
Aguilar said she uses her bonds with teammates as motivation to press forward into the home meet and beyond.
“I’ve been racing since I was a baby. To [be running] for so long, a lot of times you can take it for granted [and get] overwhelmed sometimes with racing,” Aguilar said. “This year, I’ve learned to vibe off of my teammates and enjoy the energy and cohesion. Internally, [I want to] get my mind right, and externally be strong for everyone.”
Aguilar said she doesn’t consider herself a vocal leader, but rather someone who leads by example. She said she stressed to the younger runners that hard work and team unity will help them excel at the collegiate level.
The Lady Tigers will begin at 8:05 a.m., followed by the Tigers at 9:15 a.m.