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Aug. 30, 2006
Men's Team
The UC men's cross-country team is heading into the 2006 season with their fingers crossed. The team's sixth-place finish in its first BIG EAST Conference was short of expectations of last season, but without injuries, illnesses, and other complications, the team prepares to move into their second year in the BIG EAST with much more power.
The team may have been cut short of what they had hoped for last season, but they are hoping that luck is on their side in 2006.
An experienced team is what the men's cross-country team will have with their top 13 runners returning. That includes senior Taylor Garvin, who was the MVP in the 2005 season, and junior John Dixon. With that pair setting the pace, the other team members look ready to follow.
Seniors Kevin Schwartz and Brad Neumann will be coming back for their final year and will be anchors for the team. Schwartz and Neumann will look to consistently score for the Bearcats this season.
At the other end of the spectrum the young members of the team look equally ready to compete. Sophomore twins Rick and Randy King are looking to continue their development, while redshirt freshman Solomon Kessio, the brother of former Bearcat star Ruth Limo, will be looked upon for a spark after injury derailed his 2005 season.
The second year in the BIG EAST will be something that the Bearcats are ready for. Coach Bill Schnier is building the Bearcats into a perennial BIG EAST power and emerging on a national level. The pieces are in place for a successful season for the Bearcats harriers.
Women's Team
With such a young team in 2005, the women's program is building from the ground up. The team will be heading into their second year in the BIG EAST conference looking to top the 11th-place finish the team had at the BIG EAST Championships last year. The young team is more experienced and better prepared to take on one of the nation's toughest cross country conferences.
With the loss of team MVP Karen Berling to graduation, sophomore Megan Knapp will be counted on to step up in 2006. The core of junior Nichole Leslie, senior Cristy Doll and Knapp should push the young Bearcats into contention.
Doll and Leslie have consistently finished at the top of races, scoring in nearly every meet in which they have run.
A few others looking to pull through this year are sophomores Julie Horn, Justine Yauch, and Kris Schuerle.
"They all can produce a lot of competition if everyone stays healthy and fit," Schnier said of the deep, youthful squad. "We are looking forward to seeing how this team bonds and how far they can go."