Cross: men 4th, women 7th
Freshman runs to first team All-GLIAC and Freshman of the Year
Andrew Dodson
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Sports
"He got out fast but didn't let that bother him," Nikkila said. "He closed gaps, surged passed packs and never settled. I have never seen him look so strong and confident in a race."
Nikkila understands the rankings on paper show the men's team not making the trip to Slippery Rock, Penn. for the NCAA National Championship, but he said if the guys run with the same amount of strength and determination as Jagielski and Deuel did this past weekend, they could surprise some teams.
Junior captain Erin Cvengros and freshmen Amanda Putt and Melissa TenKate made up the big three for the Charger women and did not disappoint at this year's race. All three placed in the top 30, with Cvengros narrowly missing All-GLIAC honors, placing 18th overall.
"We were disappointed by our finish," Cvengros said. "We thought we could have placed fourth overall, but we had many good times, which gives a good outlook heading into regionals."
Cvengros said her team will begin the tapering process, in which mileage ran gets lower and more focus on shorter distance workouts begins. If all goes well, Cvengros said her team is capable of placing in the top five at the regional meet.
"It would be amazing to make it to nationals, but that will be more of our focus next year with some of our key runners return," Cvengros said.
Erin Brunko, 2007 All-GLIAC runner, redshirted this season due to stress fractures in her foot. Assistant coach Sarah Hinkley said health issues have affected this year's team.
"We don't have a lot of depth right now," Hinkley said. "Not having Erin in the mix has hurt us. We are a young team and just need to regroup mentally and continue with solid training looking ahead to regionals."
The Charger ladies are young indeed. Three freshmen were in their top five, with Jennifer Shaffer joining Putt and Tenkate.
With a hiatus of competition this weekend, the Charger cross country teams look to stay focused and relaxed heading into what could be their last race of the season.
"We had big performances this weekend," Jagielski said. "If we pull it together in two weeks, that possibility of Slippery Rock can become a reality."
Nikkila understands the rankings on paper show the men's team not making the trip to Slippery Rock, Penn. for the NCAA National Championship, but he said if the guys run with the same amount of strength and determination as Jagielski and Deuel did this past weekend, they could surprise some teams.
Junior captain Erin Cvengros and freshmen Amanda Putt and Melissa TenKate made up the big three for the Charger women and did not disappoint at this year's race. All three placed in the top 30, with Cvengros narrowly missing All-GLIAC honors, placing 18th overall.
"We were disappointed by our finish," Cvengros said. "We thought we could have placed fourth overall, but we had many good times, which gives a good outlook heading into regionals."
Cvengros said her team will begin the tapering process, in which mileage ran gets lower and more focus on shorter distance workouts begins. If all goes well, Cvengros said her team is capable of placing in the top five at the regional meet.
"It would be amazing to make it to nationals, but that will be more of our focus next year with some of our key runners return," Cvengros said.
Erin Brunko, 2007 All-GLIAC runner, redshirted this season due to stress fractures in her foot. Assistant coach Sarah Hinkley said health issues have affected this year's team.
"We don't have a lot of depth right now," Hinkley said. "Not having Erin in the mix has hurt us. We are a young team and just need to regroup mentally and continue with solid training looking ahead to regionals."
The Charger ladies are young indeed. Three freshmen were in their top five, with Jennifer Shaffer joining Putt and Tenkate.
With a hiatus of competition this weekend, the Charger cross country teams look to stay focused and relaxed heading into what could be their last race of the season.
"We had big performances this weekend," Jagielski said. "If we pull it together in two weeks, that possibility of Slippery Rock can become a reality."
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