Aug. 18, 2015

MVC Preseason Release | Coach Fife Interview | 2015 Schedule

ST. LOUIS - After some growing pains a year ago, the Missouri State cross country team looks to make significant improvements this fall as second-year head coach Jordan Fife has been busy putting the winning pieces in place this offseason. Despite being picked ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason coaches poll released by the league office Tuesday, Fife is focused on what is to come this season rather than the program's recent past.

"I'm just excited to start year two," said coach Fife. "A lot of the girls didn't get in the work we needed to in the summer prior to arriving on campus last year. The girls have put in a lot more mileage this summer and worked a lot harder. That certainly showed in our time trials we just had on Friday morning. I have already seen much, much better results than last year at this time. Just really excited to continue the progression that we started last year"

One-third of Fife's new and revitalized team of runners consists of freshmen. He says he is impressed with their dedication and motivation to compete. As freshmen, he hopes that they will come to the team with the desire to push themselves and the drive to succeed.

"These newcomers provide us a mix of athletes who can help us right away and a mix of others who might be on the developmental side who I see a lot of potential in, and by the time their careers are done here at Missouri State, they can help us as well," said coach Fife.

Fife also noted he hopes some of his key returnees are able to lead the pack of Bears this season, including the team's top performer a year ago, Jessica Allen, who was the first Bear to finish at the MVC Championship last fall. MSU also has four other returning letterwinners back in the fold with solid experience.

"Obviously Jessica Allen is back," he said. "She was our number one runner last year as a freshman and she put in a lot of mileage this summer so we're anxious to see how things work out for her. Savannah Beaver and Tenaly Smith also made huge improvements last year, especially in the track season. Cindy Forde is also in the mix who had a breakthrough meet at the outdoor championships and her confidence is at an all-time high right now."

The Bears will have four meets leading up to the MVC Championships that are set to be held in Evansville, Ind. on Saturday, Oct. 31. The Bears' first meet of the season will be the Bob Timmons Classic at the University of Kansas on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m.