Published: November 22, 2009 11:49 pm         

NCAA Cross Country Nationals: Colorado’s Barringer wants to end her career on high note with women’s NCAA title

On Sunday, Jenny Barringer spoke like a woman who only envisions one way to finish an outstanding NCAA running career.

The fifth-year Colorado senior redshirted last fall after competing in the 2008 Olympics, and returns to race today at LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute after runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2007.

“The last couple times, I don’t think I was considered a favorite to win,” said Barringer, who was second to Kenyan Sally Kipyego of Texas Tech as a sophomore and junior. “It’s exciting that this is the first time in cross that I’m someone that’s considered somebody that could win the meet.

“That’s been a fun experience. I’m trying to take it all in.”

Florida State’s Susan Kuijken also knows something about runner-up finishes at the NCAA meet, taking second to Kipyego last year.

“I’m going to try to get my highest placing ever in cross country,” Kuijken simplified.

Both 2008 individual champions have graduated since last season, as Oregon’s Galen Rupp has moved on to a professional career. But last year’s men’s runner-up is back. Kenyan Sam Chelanga of Liberty University hopes he can take advantage of fast conditions today to chase down NCAA glory after getting outkicked by Rupp last November.

On the women’s side, a repeat champion appears likely as the Washington Huskies go for a second straight title after one of the most dominant victories in NCAA history last year. Coach Greg Metcalf’s squad has fought some more adversity this season, but Washington is “fit and healthy,” he said at Sunday’s press conference at the Holiday Inn.

“Our team is a little more calm, cool and collected this year, and a little more battle tested,” Metcalf said.

Washington became just the 11th women’s program to take hope a title since NCAA Championships began in 1981. One of the programs to win multiple titles, Villanova, has the best chance to be Washington’s spoiler. The Wildcats, dominant winners of the Mid-Atlantic Region, graduated just one senior from last year’s sixth-place squad.

Villanova coach Gina Procaccio said she’s not surprised by her team’s rise. The Wildcats picked off No. 2 Oregon in the Bill Dellinger Invitational, and they haven’t looked back.

“We just kind of went from there. We only had one senior, one junior, four sophomores and a freshman on the 6th place team,” Procaccio said. “Usually you see a big breakthrough in your athlete’s junior year. We’re just more experienced.”

Third-ranked Princeton could also contend if the Tigers experience a good day. The Tigers are led by Liz Costello, who was 11th last year, and three-time champion at the Gibson Course, Alex Banfich of Culver.

“We’ve got a great strategy this year. In basketball, it’s called a box-and-one,” Princeton coach Peter Farrell said. “We’ve got one girl running up front and four of them running together. I kind of like those chances.”

Washington’s Metcalf also likes his chances with a group led by sophomores Kendra Schaaf and Christine Babcock and two-time All-American Katie Follett.

“We can’t dwell too much on last year, we have to keep our focus forward and run a great race [Monday],” said Follett, Washington’s only senior. “Bringing back so much of the same team, I think does help us to carry the momentum we had last year. But it is a different year, and it will be a different race obviously. We’re all just not trying to get too caught up in expectations and pressures.”

Like Follett, Barringer is focused on a good result for her team. The Buffaloes are ranked 6th in the nation after not qualifying for the NCAAs for the first time since 1991 last year. Colorado won national titles prior to Barringer’s arrival in Boulder.

“I’m really excited about the team this year,” Barringer said. “We have some freshman and sophomores that are here for the first time. I’m trying to be a big sister to them.

“I’m one of only two that have been to the national championships before. My teammates always say, ‘if there’s pressure, I’ve dealt with it.’ I think they look up to me in that way. That helps me to remember to be encouraging and a good role model for them.”