2008 Woodie Awards
Cross country opens season against Tech
HAYTER WHITMAN
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
Football season - especially one with such high expectations - can inject the entire University community with an almost palpable sense of pride and excitement. Realistically, though, most students cannot catch passes like Mohamed Massaquoi, throw touchdowns like Matthew Stafford or beat a linebacker like Knowshon Moreno.
But many can run, which is why new distance running coach Jeff Pigg thinks that cross country offers fans a unique opportunity to actually relate with the athletes they watch.
"Almost everyone has had to run at some point," Pigg explains. "And everyone knows that when you get tired, you want to slow down."
Where: Intramural fields
Price: free
The men's and women's cross country teams open the 2008 season with its sole home meet of the season against rival Georgia Tech today at 4 p.m. at the intramural fields. For no admission fee, spectators will see the runners push their limits for the good of the team. Running can seem like a solitary exercise, but Pigg emphasized the role of teamwork in cross country.
"You're going to be hurt, you're going to be really uncomfortable, and at some point, you'll want to quit," he said. "But you'll look around at the team and say, 'I don't want to let them down.'"
Though one voice in Sanford Stadium on gameday will not make a difference in the game's outcome, Pigg believes single fans have a significant impact on the runners.
"If someone is out there besides the runners' parents yelling, 'Go Dogs!' you will be less inclined to slow down. Another thing a student could gain [from attending a meet] is motivation. I know when I watch the Olympics, I want to run. Now, when I watch gymnastics, I don't want to go out and tumble, but running is different in that anyone can do it."
Pigg said that the season prepares the team for the SEC Championships in November, but there will be no lack of motivation for the Georgia Tech meet. Not only are the runners excited, but Pigg and Georgia Tech's head coach Alan Drosky also ran against each other in college.
When asked if the team is doing anything special to prepare for the first meet, Pigg replied, "It's Georgia Tech. If we have to try and get [the team] fired up for that, they shouldn't be at Georgia."
The coach's outlook on the upcoming season is positive. He expects seniors on the women's team like Kiah Vernon to lead the team to a top-25 ranking by season's end.
When Vernon overheard her name mentioned as a "senior leader" from the hallway, she said: "I'm so old!"
"We did lose some runners," added senior All-American Natalie Picchetti. "But it will be interesting because it will really be a complete team effort. We're going to look for our freshmen and sophomores to step up, but also our senior leaders."
Pigg said he expects leadership on the men's team, and he looks forward to the younger athletes exceeding expectations when given a chance to run.
But many can run, which is why new distance running coach Jeff Pigg thinks that cross country offers fans a unique opportunity to actually relate with the athletes they watch.
"Almost everyone has had to run at some point," Pigg explains. "And everyone knows that when you get tired, you want to slow down."
CROSS COUNTRY MEET
When: 4 todayWhere: Intramural fields
Price: free
The men's and women's cross country teams open the 2008 season with its sole home meet of the season against rival Georgia Tech today at 4 p.m. at the intramural fields. For no admission fee, spectators will see the runners push their limits for the good of the team. Running can seem like a solitary exercise, but Pigg emphasized the role of teamwork in cross country.
"You're going to be hurt, you're going to be really uncomfortable, and at some point, you'll want to quit," he said. "But you'll look around at the team and say, 'I don't want to let them down.'"
Though one voice in Sanford Stadium on gameday will not make a difference in the game's outcome, Pigg believes single fans have a significant impact on the runners.
"If someone is out there besides the runners' parents yelling, 'Go Dogs!' you will be less inclined to slow down. Another thing a student could gain [from attending a meet] is motivation. I know when I watch the Olympics, I want to run. Now, when I watch gymnastics, I don't want to go out and tumble, but running is different in that anyone can do it."
Pigg said that the season prepares the team for the SEC Championships in November, but there will be no lack of motivation for the Georgia Tech meet. Not only are the runners excited, but Pigg and Georgia Tech's head coach Alan Drosky also ran against each other in college.
When asked if the team is doing anything special to prepare for the first meet, Pigg replied, "It's Georgia Tech. If we have to try and get [the team] fired up for that, they shouldn't be at Georgia."
The coach's outlook on the upcoming season is positive. He expects seniors on the women's team like Kiah Vernon to lead the team to a top-25 ranking by season's end.
When Vernon overheard her name mentioned as a "senior leader" from the hallway, she said: "I'm so old!"
"We did lose some runners," added senior All-American Natalie Picchetti. "But it will be interesting because it will really be a complete team effort. We're going to look for our freshmen and sophomores to step up, but also our senior leaders."
Pigg said he expects leadership on the men's team, and he looks forward to the younger athletes exceeding expectations when given a chance to run.
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