Delta State University

CLEVELAND - Despite an injury filled 2008 season in which the Lady Statesmen at times found themselves without enough eligible runners, coach Doug Pinkerton is excited about the upcoming season for the DSU cross country team.


“Last year was an injury bug year, but we are trying to start at an easier pace this year to try to build a little bit better,” stated Pinkerton. The Lady Statesmen return only one runner from last season, sophomore Rachael Gavin, however after sitting out the 2008 season, senior Kristin Williams will return for her swan song with the Lady Statesmen. “Kristin is obviously one of the best we have ever had here, and we expect big things from her,” Pinkerton added.


Pinkerton, along with graduate assistant coach Alex Fletcher, expects major contributions from freshman Ashley Carrillo and sophomore Amanda Corneillison. “If we can get some solid performances from those four, (Gavin, Williams, Carrillo and Corneillison) they should push the other girls.”


Carrillo is one of the most highly touted recruits in recent memory for the Lady Statesmen. The Raymond native was an All-State performer four times at 3A Raymond High School, as well as an All-District performer for six seasons.

Williams has posted the top two 6k times in Lady Statesmen history, as she posted times of 23:17 in 2005 and 23:23 in 2006. Williams also holds two of the top three 5k times in school history with times of 18:47 and 18:59 which were also posted in 2005 and 2006.

Also joining the team are newcomers Hend Alboshaba, (Greneda) Elizabeth Fike, (Raymond) Dixie Griffin (Houston) and Cate Rowe. Brittany Eikner also returns to the team after an injury forced her to miss the season in 2008.

The Lady Statesmen will hit the trails on Sept. 5 as they travel to Memphis for the annual Brooks' Twilight Invitational. The following week the Lady Statesmen host the DSU Cross Country Invitational at the Derrall Foreman Golf Course.