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Friday, February 19
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University of Utah
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Battle Born Collegiate Cross Country Challenge
Tank Leads Women of Utah to Strong Finish in Las Vegas
2/19/2021 3:55 PM | Cross Country
Poppy Tank led the Women of Utah to a strong finish Friday afternoon in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS – Poppy Tank led the Utah cross country team Friday afternoon at the Battle Born Collegiate Cross Country Challenge, taking fifth overall while Utah placed eighth as a team at Craig Ranch Regional Park.
"Today, almost across board we ran significantly better and significantly faster," Utah head coach Kyle Kepler said.
Tank's time of 19:58.1 was the third-fastest time for the senior in her career while the fifth-place finish was the second highest in her career. Freshman Morgan Jensen crushed her previous 6k time from two weeks ago, crossing the finish line at 20:50.7.
"Poppy was almost 20 seconds faster than when we ran this same course 18 days ago so that tells you about where she's at in her fitness," Kepler noted. "She ran a great race and was leading until about the final 800 meters or so before the reigning Pac-12 Champion and her teammate edged her out. Morgan continues to really shine and improve as well. Again, another kid that ran significantly faster than last time. She definitely battled and is continuing to learn very quickly how to run well at this level."
Sarah Newton also set a new PR in the 6k, clocking in at 21:13.4 while Natalie Platil and Sophie Ryan were neck and neck as they crossed with new personal bests as well. Platil's time of 21:45.3 was just a hair faster than Ryan's mark of 21:45.5.
"The way Natalie and Sophie finished was outstanding," mentioned Kepler. "They both passed 5-6 runners in the last 150 and showed a lot of fight there."
Meanwhile, Astrid Lindgren shook off the cobwebs and crushed her previous mark at Craig Ranch Regional Park from two weeks ago by nearly a minute with a time of 22:22.7. Karli Branch and Sara Leonard rounded out the runners for Utah Friday afternoon.
"Our kids were out there battling for every single point at the end. We know we got a ways to go and we're still missing a few bodies due to some injuries and other issues but the gals here have earned their spot. I'm really happy with how everything is going. Everyone's attitude is positive and they just believe in each other and really push each other to perform at the highest level."
The Utes now get a couple weeks to regroup and rest before they get take to Chambers Bay Golf Course on March 5 for the Pac-12 Championships.
"Today, almost across board we ran significantly better and significantly faster," Utah head coach Kyle Kepler said.
Tank's time of 19:58.1 was the third-fastest time for the senior in her career while the fifth-place finish was the second highest in her career. Freshman Morgan Jensen crushed her previous 6k time from two weeks ago, crossing the finish line at 20:50.7.
"Poppy was almost 20 seconds faster than when we ran this same course 18 days ago so that tells you about where she's at in her fitness," Kepler noted. "She ran a great race and was leading until about the final 800 meters or so before the reigning Pac-12 Champion and her teammate edged her out. Morgan continues to really shine and improve as well. Again, another kid that ran significantly faster than last time. She definitely battled and is continuing to learn very quickly how to run well at this level."
Sarah Newton also set a new PR in the 6k, clocking in at 21:13.4 while Natalie Platil and Sophie Ryan were neck and neck as they crossed with new personal bests as well. Platil's time of 21:45.3 was just a hair faster than Ryan's mark of 21:45.5.
"The way Natalie and Sophie finished was outstanding," mentioned Kepler. "They both passed 5-6 runners in the last 150 and showed a lot of fight there."
Meanwhile, Astrid Lindgren shook off the cobwebs and crushed her previous mark at Craig Ranch Regional Park from two weeks ago by nearly a minute with a time of 22:22.7. Karli Branch and Sara Leonard rounded out the runners for Utah Friday afternoon.
"Our kids were out there battling for every single point at the end. We know we got a ways to go and we're still missing a few bodies due to some injuries and other issues but the gals here have earned their spot. I'm really happy with how everything is going. Everyone's attitude is positive and they just believe in each other and really push each other to perform at the highest level."
The Utes now get a couple weeks to regroup and rest before they get take to Chambers Bay Golf Course on March 5 for the Pac-12 Championships.
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