Missouri men threaten Alabama’s title at Crimson Classic XC meet

Oct 18, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Drew Rogers (left) and Tyler Freiner compete at the Gans Creek Classic, Friday, Sept. 30, 2023. Rogers led the Tigers, and Freiner took seventh for the team at Alabama’s Crimson Classic, Friday, October 18, 2024. | Abigail Klapatauskas

Missouri’s men’s and women’s teams placed second at their regular-season finale.

When they last faced off in 2023, the Missouri men lost to the Crimson Tide by 194 points.

Running Friday with a nearly identical roster but a new team identity, Missouri threatened an upset against No. 12 Alabama, racing within six points of first place.

In one year, the Missouri men’s distance program ran from the back of the field toward the top of the rankings.

The Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was the final regular season tune-up before the Tigers size up their spot in the conference at the SEC Championship, November 1.

In his first top-five finish of the year, Drew Rogers accelerated Missouri’s momentum into the postseason. Rogers, who finished within earshot of teammate Ryder James all year, finally took control, setting an 8k (8.078) personal best (PB) in 23:26.6. James placed second for the team and eighth overall in 23:36.8.

Drew Rogers sets a new 8k personal best time and finish as he takes 5️⃣th in the Crimson Classic

: https://t.co/X6JWyENCWx
⏱️: https://t.co/c3pbRGluwU#MIZ pic.twitter.com/c0sBvfr21D

— Mizzou Track & Field (@MizzouTFXC) October 18, 2024

Rogers and James’ friendly rivalry dates back to high school when they took turns winning the Illinois Class 1A Cross Country Championships.

Friday’s results prove there’s still competition at the top of Missouri’s roster.

But the key to Missouri’s success lies in its depth.

For the second meet in a row, all five of Missouri’s scoring runners placed in the top-25. The Tigers were only one of two teams to do so, not including Alabama, whose fifth runner finished in 29th place. Alabama raced without its top-3 runner, Hillary Cheruiyot, and it’s unclear whether he’ll return for the SEC Championship.

Missouri’s fourth through seventh spots are still a shuffle; Jamie Mora took seventh at Gans Creek but scored Friday. Whether it’s Tyler Freiner, Declan Tunney or Mora as the leader, each meet sees the Tigers’ second pack continue to attack together, longer.

On the women’s side, Rahel Broemmel led the Tigers toward a second-place team title, setting another 6k PB along the way.

Well, basically a 6k— the Harry Pritchett Running Course is a slightly statistically nightmarish 5,926 meters long. To the host’s credit, they made up for the 74-meter differential by offering Krispy Kreme donuts to spectators.

Course Prep

The finishing touches are coming together quite nicely over at Harry Pritchett Running Park…

Join us THIS. FRIDAY. for the Crimson Classic!

⏰ Men 8k – 8:30 a.m. | Women 6k – 9:20 a.m.
ℹ️ Coffee, Food Trucks, Krispy Kreme donuts#RollTide pic.twitter.com/zpoV18ZZgO

— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) October 16, 2024

The Missouri women also defeated South Carolina, avenging a three-point loss to the Gamecocks at SECs last year.

Missouri freshmen Natalie Barnard and Charlotte Cullen both scored for the Tigers, placing 22nd and 25th overall.

Overall, the Crimson Classic was an exciting end to the regular season era, but only the first chapter of conference competition for the Tigers.

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