Miami Cross Country Ready for 2010 Season
Sept. 4, 2010
CORAL GABLES –
The University of Miami cross country teams open their 2010 schedule at the King of the Hill Challenge at Vista View Park in Davie, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 5. Both the men’s and women’s races will be a 5k with the men starting at 7:45 a.m. and the women at 8:05 a.m.
The Hurricanes will be joined by other collegiate teams, such as FIU, FAU, Nova Southeastern and Florida Gulf Coast in the Wildside.com hosted event.
“This is a great opportunity to get our feet wet close to home,” said assistant cross country coach Damon Griffiths. “We have a large freshmen class that will have a chance to develop at this low key meet.”
The women’s team which returns its six of its top seven runners from a year ago, including Katharine Woodard, Emma Steppe, Anna Bona, Allison Ludwick and Caitlin Knapp. But they will be pushed by the talented freshman class of Brooke Dovell, Lindsi Arrington and Christinia Brea.
“This may be the deepest women’s group that Miami has had in years,” added Griffiths. “Emma and the other returners had a solid spring track season and Brooke and Lindsi look to be in the mix. We just need to continue to develop as a unit.”
The men have been infused with a strong incoming class. Conner Adams, the state champion in the 1,600m run out of Flower Mound, Texas, will join fellow freshmen Luke Fontaine, Philip Wood and Sean Pezzulo in looking to make a big splash in their first season.
Charles Michel, the men’s top finisher in each race a season ago, leads a core of returners including Greg Kaczka and Matthew Wilson.
“The excitement that men’s program has is high,” said Griffiths. “They are eager to get out there and start the season. Connor and the other freshmen will be looked upon to come in and contribute right away with Charlie and Greg”
This year’s ‘Canes will use their five-event regular season as preparation for the ACC Championships to be held in Boston on Oct. 30th, followed by the NCAA South Regional Championship in Birmingham, Ala. on Nov. 13th.
“I am very excited about both of these groups,” concluded Griffiths. “There is a good mixture of experience and youth and they are all looking to take the distance program to the next level.”
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