Cross country to battle Orediggers

The Eagle cross country team will compete in their first meet this Saturday on their home course. South Dakota School of Mines challenges the Eagles in a dual to start the 2012 cross country season.

For some of the Eagles’ team, it will be their first time running long distance in a competition like cross country. While the nerves may be running high, Coach Ryan Baily is not putting any pressure on his runners.

“There is no pressure on this meet. This is a first collegiate meet for most of the athletes, and it will give us a good indicator of how we stack up against the competition,” Baily said.

At Chadron’s time trial, many runners made good time on the course. Jayme Nunes, freshman of Alliance, won the 4800 meter run with a time of 20 minutes and 48 seconds. For the men, Domingo Torres, freshman of Gering, won the 6000 with a 22 minute and 53 second finish.

Even with the talent, this race might be a bit tough for the athletes.

“They have been training hard for three weeks, and I did not give them a break so they won’t be running real fresh,” Bailey said. “I still think they’ll do well.”

The competition is scheduled to start at noon on Saturday.