Cross country gears up
Patrick Timmis
Issue date: 9/10/09 Section: Sports
The cross-country teams are set to kick off another season, and both the men and women are looking to make significant advances from last year.
Expectations are especially high for the men. The team finished fourth in the GLIAC last year, and they believe they can place higher this season.
"I think we should have pretty high hopes here. Obviously there are some teams in our conference that are pretty tremendous forces. But I don't think it's out of reach to be top two in the conference," junior Alex Ralston said.
Senior co-captain Britton Deuel shares his confidence.
"Expect a return to dominance," he said.
Much of this confidence is based on the recent preseason camp, which was held in Luther, Mich.
"I'm a senior, and this is probably the best I've seen people come into the season shape wise," team co-captain Derek Gilmore said.
Deuel was also upbeat about the camp.
"We had a great week of camp," he said. "Definitely all the guys seem focused. Everybody hit their paces. Expecting a lot of everybody this season."
A freshman to watch is Matt VanEgmond, senior co-captain Shawn McKinstry said.
"He's been running with the top guys all of the last two weeks," he said.
The women are also excited about their prospects this year.
"It's a team that really has a lot of potential," said Bill Lundberg, who is entering his 25th year as head coach of the cross-country teams.
"We have some fine seniors that are all captains that are returning," he said. Those seniors are Erin Cvengros, Amy Luke and Marion Gabl.
The team also includes some key additions, Cvengros said. Erin Brunko, who was injured, is healthy and running well, and Ashley Quick, who was ineligible to compete last year since she was a transfer student, is also now available to run.
The team will be looking to freshmen as well, especially Page Lillo and Francesca Frasier, Lundberg said.
The team is shooting for a top five finish at regionals and a strong finish in the conference, Cvengros said.
The Blue/White meet at Baw Beese Lake on Sept. 11 will be the first opportunity to see both teams in action. The women are scheduled to start around 4:00 p.m., and the men around 4:30 p.m.
More information on both teams can be found on the college Web site.
Expectations are especially high for the men. The team finished fourth in the GLIAC last year, and they believe they can place higher this season.
"I think we should have pretty high hopes here. Obviously there are some teams in our conference that are pretty tremendous forces. But I don't think it's out of reach to be top two in the conference," junior Alex Ralston said.
Senior co-captain Britton Deuel shares his confidence.
"Expect a return to dominance," he said.
Much of this confidence is based on the recent preseason camp, which was held in Luther, Mich.
"I'm a senior, and this is probably the best I've seen people come into the season shape wise," team co-captain Derek Gilmore said.
Deuel was also upbeat about the camp.
"We had a great week of camp," he said. "Definitely all the guys seem focused. Everybody hit their paces. Expecting a lot of everybody this season."
A freshman to watch is Matt VanEgmond, senior co-captain Shawn McKinstry said.
"He's been running with the top guys all of the last two weeks," he said.
The women are also excited about their prospects this year.
"It's a team that really has a lot of potential," said Bill Lundberg, who is entering his 25th year as head coach of the cross-country teams.
"We have some fine seniors that are all captains that are returning," he said. Those seniors are Erin Cvengros, Amy Luke and Marion Gabl.
The team also includes some key additions, Cvengros said. Erin Brunko, who was injured, is healthy and running well, and Ashley Quick, who was ineligible to compete last year since she was a transfer student, is also now available to run.
The team will be looking to freshmen as well, especially Page Lillo and Francesca Frasier, Lundberg said.
The team is shooting for a top five finish at regionals and a strong finish in the conference, Cvengros said.
The Blue/White meet at Baw Beese Lake on Sept. 11 will be the first opportunity to see both teams in action. The women are scheduled to start around 4:00 p.m., and the men around 4:30 p.m.
More information on both teams can be found on the college Web site.
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