Govs to face first 8-kilometer test at Old Timers Classic

APSU Men’s Cross Country

Austin Peay State University men’s cross country team will face its first test at the eight-kilometer distance when it competes at the Old Timers Classic, at 10:45am, Saturday, hosted by Western Kentucky at Kereiakes Park in Bowling Green, KY.

The eight-kilometer distance is significant for the Govs as their next five races, including the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, will be run at that distance. Saturday’s race also will give Austin Peay a look at some of its OVC competition as the field includes Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State, UT Martin and Tennessee Tech. In addition, Marshall, host Western Kentucky and Bellarmine will compete.

Austin Peay has shown promise in its first two shorter-distance races with the trio of junior Enock Langat, junior Boniface Yator and sophomore Geofrey Kosgei leading the way in forming a tight pack up front. Behind them, Evan Collins, Tyler Kepley and Konnor Kessler have struggled to maintain contact with that front three, something that will be necessary for the Govs to compete long term.

“Right now, we are running as a close pack with the men and I’d like to see us continue that,” said APSU cross country coach Doug Molnar. “We will need to have the differential between our top five runners less than 90 seconds and I’d like to see it closer to 60 seconds. Langat, Yator, and Kosgei are running tough and together.  Now, we just need for Collins, Kepley, and Kessler to close down on them a little. I think we are more suited to the longer distances based on our personnel and our training, so it should be interesting to see how we compete this weekend.”