Logan Culotta doesn’t need to be specific about which runners to beat at this weekend’s Big 12 cross country championship.

Murray

“Pretty much the whole Oklahoma State team,” he said. “Colorado is another team; they’re usually going to be the top two spots. Then it’s going to be a fight for third, fourth, fifth, so on.”

Texas Tech hopes it’s built enough momentum to finish in the top of the pack. The Red Raiders’ success increased as the season progressed; they finished fifth in their most recent race, the Chile Pepper Invitational on Oct. 17, beating Missouri and Baylor but falling behind Oklahoma and team winner Oklahoma State.

Culotta said the strength of this year’s team has been the fight for fifth. Cross country teams receive points for their five fastest runners; while Tech’s top four has been consistent, several athletes have filled the fifth spot.

“Three people competing for the fifth spot pushes everyone else further,” Culotta said.

Coach Jon Murray said redshirting several athletes in 2008 paid off. Now the team is older – 10 of 16 runners are juniors or seniors – giving Tech more depth.

That won’t make the conference meet any easier. Oklahoma State and Colorado are No. 3 and 4 nationally, with Oklahoma and Iowa State also in the Top 25.

“There’s a host of schools after that and if some have good days they’ll be ahead, if some have bad days they’ll be behind,” Murray said. “It’s going to be really good, really close, and the swing is going to be anywhere from fourth to eighth really quickly.”

Tech’s best individual finisher has been junior Gilbert Limo, who took first in the Texas Tech Ruidoso Open and Texas Tech Open. Cory Higgins, Silas Kemboi, Zach Quinones and Culotta have also been racing well.

Murray said the conference has become more competitive in recent years, but Tech could still surprise people.

“Getting in there they can do some things and beat some teams we haven’t beaten in the past,” Murray said.

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