While it is generally not as thrilling or followed as the outdoor track and field season, many college track athletes are well into their cross country season with the Pre-Nationals event being held yesterday.

Held in Terre Haute, Indiana on the same course that the National Championships will be held on in a month, but over 2K shorter distances for both the men and women (8K and 6K respectively), it offers a preview of what's to come at Nationals. There are 2 races each, a blue and white, for both the men's and women's teams as well as an open race, so as to not have all the teams competing head to head just like they will at Nationals. Not all of the schools show up for the event either so there will still be some surprises when they line up for the championship in a month.

The highlight of the event was Liberty's Sam Chelanga setting a new course record of 22:51.3, besting former teammate Josh McDougal's record from last year, in the white race. He clearly sets himself as the favorite for the individual title and overshadowed Stanford's team win in the white race beating Iona. In the blue race Alabama held off Northern Arizona. Oklahoma State ran in the team race but held some of their runners out to run in the open race including German Fernandez, who won in 23:34.57. You will recall that German set records as a California prep this spring.

In the women's races, #1 Washington impressed totaling an impressive 36 points in the blue race with runners including Christine Babcock who herself set prep records in California this spring.

I'm looking forward to Pac-10's, regionals, and nationals over the next several week!