The Mississippi State cross-country team enjoyed its final home meet on the 2003 season Saturday, finishing first or second in every event, both men’s and women’s.
The men’s team finished runner-up to the Auburn Tigers in the 5K race. However, the Bulldogs got their revenge as they were able to fight for and win the 6K event over the No. 5 Tigers.
Junior Gedamu Ege, the race’s overall winner, propelled the Bulldogs to victory with a time of 18:55.40.
“I was the most pleased I’ve been all year (on Saturday),” said men’s head coach Steve Dudley. “We really dug deep, and beat out Auburn for several key points down the stretch. If you look at the standings, wherever there was a second between two runners, it was our guys who were on top every time. That shows (the runners) are really starting to understand how to race with their hearts, not their muscles.”
The Lady Bulldogs also faired well on the weekend, finishing second to Auburn in the 4K and besting Alabama for the 3K crown.
Tiffany McWilliams continued her spectacular season on Saturday, winning the 4K contest by 33.6 seconds, her sixth straight first-place finish.
This was the final tune-up for both squads before the SEC Championships start Monday in Athens, Ga.
Dudley expects the Bulldogs to surprise other teams around the league.
“I think we’re in a great position to do some things,” Dudley observed. “This team is running well and they really believe they can be in the top half of the league.”
“Nobody really expects us to do well, since this is our first year, but I don’t consider us to be young anymore,” said Dudley. “All of our freshmen are sophomores now. Saturday was graduation day.”