The ICC Cougar Cross Country teams head to nationals with high expectations for their best finishes ever. With eight of the 14 runners having recorded personal bests at Regionals, they appear to be reaching their peak at the right time.
The nationally 10th ranked women have been led this season by the sophomore trio of Raven Pettry, Michelle Carter, and Kayla Christ, but frosh Deidra Klaus has been improving rapidly and is starting to mix it up with the veterans. Not far behind are sophomore Danie Fisher and frosh Jordyn Hull, giving the Cougars a solid top six. If the team is to finish in the top ten, at least two will need to finish in the top 30, with the rest also scoring well. Based on recent workouts and meet finishes, this is very do-able.
The men are out to prove that those who rank teams were wrong in voting ICC out of the top 25. Despite a couple of runners being nicked up, the Cougars finished a strong second behind 21st ranked Danville at regionals. Freshman Ryan Van Fossen has been the number one runner all season and recorded the sixth fastest ICC time ever at the regional race. Given his recent improvement, he has a legitimate chance of breaking the 26 minute barrier and becoming the first men's All-American since Jeff Erickson back in 2004. Also improving at regionals was number two runner David Lawson, who finished in the top 10 by passing three runners in the last mile. Nick Leiby has been a solid force all season and will again come through at nationals. Though nursing injuries, Brett Curry and Trenton Hopper are running well in the 4th and 5th spots. Trenton had a huge PR with his 28:07 at regionals. Clayton Gale and Caleb Ulrich round out the 6th and 7th spots. Clayton is just now getting into shape after joining the team late. Caleb showed great promise early, but has been plagued by injuries for most of the season. He will be running for nationals experience.
The team leaves for Spartanburg, SC on Thursday, November 11 and will race on Saturday the 13th. Wish them well!
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