Wolverines Take Runner-Up at Cowboy Jamboree

Saturday, September 25

Stillwater, Okla.

9:45 AM CT

Michigan

Cowboy Jamboree

9/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country

Sept. 25, 2010

Site: Stillwater, Okla. (OSU Cross Country Course)
Meet: Cowboy Jamboree (8,000 meters)
U-M Finish: 2nd of 18 Teams (110 points)
Top U-M Individual: Craig Forys, 11th (24:50:31)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 2 -- at Wisconsin adidas Invitational (Madison, Wis.), 11:45 a.m. CDT

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The University of Michigan men's cross country team claimed runner-up honors (110 points) in its first scored meet of the 2010 season at the annual Cowboy Jamboree on Saturday (Sept. 25) at the OSU Cross Country Course. Senior/junior Craig Forys (Howell, N.J./Colts Neck HS) led the Wolverine contingent to the finish line, claiming 11th place overall with a time of 24:50.31.

Competing in his first cross country event in two seasons, Forys hung with the leaders throughout the race, running among the top 10 through a 4:50 opening mile before settling back into the first chase pack, which crossed the 5,000-meter mark at 15:30. Forys then made his move up in the final 2,000 meters, finishing just three seconds behind the top 10.

Three members of Michigan's scoring five made their season debut and crossed the finish line in an 82-second spread. In addition to Forys, junior Bobby Aprill (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) and sophomore Zach Ornelas (Cedar Park, Texas/Vista Ridge HS) saw their first competitive action, finishing 21st and 31st, respectively, with times of 25:20.57 and 25:49.70. Junior/sophomore Derek Henning (Alanson, Mich./Petoskey HS), who won the season-opening Michigan Open three weeks ago, took 27th place with a career-best time of 25:38.83, while sophomore Dallas Bowden (Hastings. New Zealand/Nelson College) clocked 26:12.68 to round out the top five in 44th place.

The Wolverines will return to competition next Saturday (Oct. 2), heading to Madison, Wis., for the second annual Wisconsin adidas Invitational. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin, the men's 8,000-meter race is scheduled for an 11:45 a.m. CDT start at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.

Team Standings (Top 10)

 1. Oklahoma State        28 2. MICHIGAN             110 3. Wayland Baptist      143 4. Central Missouri     175 5. Kansas State         185 6. Oklahoma Christian   195 7. Rice                 197 8. Pittsburg State      215 9. East Central         25010. Abilene Christian    257

Top 10 Individuals

 1. Girma Mescheso, Oklahoma State          23:46.17 2. Kennedy Kithuka, Wayland Baptist        24:06.39 3. Silas Kisorio, Oklahoma Christian       24:21.93 4. Amos Sang, Abilene Christian            24:25.04 5. Colby Lowe, Oklahoma State              24:28.59 6. German Fernandez, Oklahoma State        24:28.74 7. Tom Farrell, Oklahoma State             24:28.80 8. David Chirchir, unattached              24:28.83 9. Kemoy Campbell, South Plains            24:33.7410. Johnathan Stublaski, Oklahoma State     24:47.82

Michigan Individuals

 11. Craig Forys, U-M     24:50.31 21. Bobby Aprill, U-M    25:20.57 27. Derek Henning, U-M   25:38.83 31. Zach Ornelas, U-M    25:49.70 44. Dallas Bowden, U-M   26:12.68 49. Sean Bone, U-M       26:17.98 65. Nick Kern, U-M       26:48.64104. Nathan Karr, U-M     27:39.18

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Alex Gibby
On the Wolverines' team effort ... "I think it was a passable first effort. We did some things well. I think we were a little shocked at the competitive level; Oklahoma State ran fast. They have a difficult course down here, and it was hot and humid -- something we're not very used to racing in being a northern school. Our goal was to stay involved and keep our composure, and I think we did a pretty good job with that. We're moving in the right direction. Today was a good first step."

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423