Upcoming Event: Cross Country versus Nuttycombe Invitational on October 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Cross Country
vs Nuttycombe Invitational
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Cross Country Prepares for the Chile Pepper 6K
10/16/2009 12:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 16, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah cross country team will be traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. for the Chile Pepper Cross Country Invitational. The 6-kilometer race will feature 37 cross country programs competing at the Razorback Cross Country Course at Agri Park. The women's collegiate race is slotted for 10:30 CT.
This will be the first time since 2007 the Utes have competed at the Chile Pepper Invitational. Last time out, freshman Lauren Lewis led the Utes, finishing 28th overall with a time of 21:52.3 to aid in a ninth-place overall finish for Utah.
The other top-five performers were Alyssa Abbott (81st, 22:19.2), Kellie Anderson (144, 22:34.2), Rebecca Mackelprang (228. 22:57.8), and Chelsea DiGrazia (317, 23:02.6).
LAST WEEKEND
The Utes competed at the University of Nevada- WAC Preview Invitational. The team finished third overall paced by freshman Amanda Mergaert. The Ute crossed the line in third-place overall with a time of 20:17 behind Kristina Holtz of Sacramento State (first, 20:05) and Jordan Burke of Nevada (second, 20:05). Freshman Jenny McCune was the next Ute to finish the course with a time of 20:42 for ninth-place overall.
THOUGHTS FROM COACH KEPLER
"This will be a major test for our young team. We are really battling illness going through the team right now, so I'm not even sure who will be running. Regardless, we will run hard and give a great effort. The great thing about a meet this big is that you're never running alone; there are always people in front of you to pass and keep you moving. We are going to need some gals to step up and have their best races of the year if we hope to finish well in the team standings. This is our last race before the conference championships so now would be a good time to start building some momentum and confidence."
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