Wildcats look to returnees to lead
The University of Kentucky cross country team is set to begin practice Monday at 7 a.m. The first weeks of practice will utilize long distance runs to evaluate the fitness levels of the runners.
Kentucky?s 2004 cross country teams will try to continue their recent success by replacing last year?s talented senior class with fresh faces and returning talent.
Coach Don Weber looks to the returnees on both squads to lead this season, “Our success will be dependent upon our returning athletes. As they continue to progress and develop competitively and move into very competitive positions in races, we hope to see them bring our freshmen along with them.”
Weber and assistant coach John Gondak see the regular season as a building block to the post season. “We will use the regular season meets to gain experience and confidence for both teams as they strive for strong finishes at the SEC and National Championships.”
For the men, the loss of six seniors in the top seven of the Wildcats national qualifying team leaves room for returnees and freshmen to step up and make an immediate impact. “With the graduation of top runners we look to the handful of returning men to have a big year,” said Weber.
Sophomore John Richardson is expected to have a big year. The lone returnee from last year?s national qualifying team, Weber is counting on him to be a leader. “Based on last year we would expect John will be our top runner in 2004, but we have several athletes we think have the ability to run with John.” That core group of athletes expected to factor into the top seven are returnees Chris Millisor, Kris Landers, William Sykes, Jonathan Thomas, Ryan DeLuca, Tommy Byers and Andrew Thompson.
The Wildcats will also count on incoming freshmen Andre Silva and Stephan Smith to make an immediate impact this season.
The women are returning four strong upperclassmen to lead a large pack of up and coming freshman and sophomore runners this season.
Seniors Candace Leep and Beth Heimann, who was part of the ’02 team that finished SEC runner-up along with juniors Leah Kerstetter and Allison Grace should bring depth and experience to the team. Kersstetter had a strong finish in the SEC Championships last year placing 16th and Grace finished ninth in 2002 SEC Championships.
Also being counted on are sophomore long distance specialist Emily King and returnee Georganne Way. Weber expects these upperclassmen to take a leadership role, “The women’s team will be a blend of experienced returning athletes and promising freshmen. The upperclassmen have the most experience and will be counted on to lead the team.”
Although the upperclassmen will be looked at to lead, the addition of a strong incoming freshmen class is creating a stir among the coaching staff. “We are excited with the addition of our freshmen. We think our newcomers, with their enthusiasm and talent, have the ability to make us a stronger team immediately.”
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