Seconds after sprinting through the finish, Mikayla Reed rushed around to encourage her teammates striding up the chute. The veteran cheered and screamed each Tiger’s name, celebrating a run-as-one team win. Reed, who trained through injuries last season, shaved over a minute off her 2022 time, taking third place in 17:49.1 at the Mizzou XC Opener Friday.
“It’s really good to see Mikayla back,” new Missouri coach Kyle Levermore said. “I hope she gains confidence from today.”
Levermore also expressed excitement for his team’s execution of their pack-running training.
“When you bring people with you, and you rise together, you allow yourself to go to a deeper place in those tougher moments,” Levermore said.
Lydia Roller and Jenna Schwartz brought an entire pack of gold with them as they chased the gator throughout the course. Roller and Schwartz ran nearly even splits through the 4K, but Roller eventually put the hammer down to win. Her kick won the race in 17:47.3, and Schwartz finished 1.8 seconds behind. Overall, Missouri earned eight of the top 10 spots, and five Tigers raced under 18 minutes.
Roller navigated her home course well. She strode out after each gentle curve and pushed the pack’s pace across the straightaways. Roller said her offseason training and an adjusted mindset bolstered her racing confidence.
“I feel like, in the past, I really get down on myself if I feel bad about a race, and I just tried to really stop all of that,” she said.
Levermore’s face lit up when he spoke of Roller’s potential this season.
“I’m really, really excited about what Lydia Roller can do. I’ve seen it in training, and I think her confidence is starting to blossom,” he said.
Missouri hopes to stretch its confidence while training throughout September before hosting the Gans Creek Classic Sept. 29.
Levermore chuckled as he admitted the next race on the home grass won’t be as comfortable.
“The next time we’re out here it’s going to probably be 100 times harder than it was today.”
But, if the golden pack continues to fight together, the Tigers will be ready to roar in their races.