Tuesday, November 23, 2010

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Racing in the final meet of her cross country career, Mackenzie Howe proved herself on a national stage against the top collegiate runners in the country at the NCAA Cross Country Championship today in Terre Haute, Ind. Competing in the race for the first time, she would finish 108th in a time of 21:22.80, which was better than over 50 percent of the other competitors.

Seeing the course at the LaVern Gibson Championships cross country course for the first time, Howe faced some familiar South region foes along with eventual winner Villanova and other powerhouse schools from all over the country. Coming in second and third behind Villanova were Florida State and Texas Tech.

"Today was a really great experience for me," Howe said. "I knew before the race that I would do well so I tried to stay mentally prepared. I didn't want to get boxed in but unfortunately that didn't go in my favor so it turned into a learning experience. Overall, it was a good race and a great way to end my cross country career."

The road to Nationals this season was reminiscent of what Howe has been working towards since she ran her first race for Kennesaw State in 2007. She began the season with a first place victory at the UTC PowerAde Invitational in nearby Chattanooga, Tenn. Back-to-back tests were up next for the senior who finished second at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala. then 15th at the Greater Louisville Classic in Louisville, Ky.