2008 Woodie Awards
Upward bound
Cross Country Preview
Garrett Purchio
Issue date: 8/22/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
One of the benefits of a new season is that a team is motivated to perform better than the previous year.
For the Humboldt State cross-country program, that is certainly the case this year. Under fourth-year Head Coach Sandy Moran, the 'Jacks enter this year with raised expectations and a mix of experienced and new runners that should lead to should propel both teams to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Women's Cross Country
After finishing 8th at the CCAA Championships in 2006, the women's team is focused on competing with the top teams in the conference.
Two of the top runners returning are Megan Rolland and Jenna Lee. The duo performed consistently in 2006, often finishing near the top of the field. Other runners that are expected to pace the team are Irene Graham, Amanda Garcia and Heather Moulton.
Moran said that the competition will again be tough. With 11 schools in the CCAA fielding teams, there is no clear way to see how the team matches up until the races begin. However, she has reason to believe that this year's team can prove to the rest of the CCAA that they are a team not to be taken lightly.
"I think we can beat some of the teams that beat us last year," Moran said.
The team's lone home meet of the season is the Humboldt Invitational, which is scheduled for Sept. 8 at Patrick's Point State Park. In 2006, the team edged out Fresno Pacific University to win the event.
Men's Cross Country
Coach Moran felt the team showed a lot of potential in 2006, and with several key runners continuing this season the team should compete with the top teams in the conference.
"The men should see a big step forward," Moran said. "I'm excited to see how things work out."
Moran said the team came into practice in great condition and is ready to get the season underway. The top seven runners are all returners, which takes pressure off those new to the program. Expected to lead the team is junior Jimmy Elam, whose performance over the past two seasons has earned him the admiration and trust of his teammates.
"The team really respects how much he's worked and improved," Moran said.
When asked how she has motivated the team for the upcoming season, Moran said she hasn't had to do a lot given that they are very internally motivated and need little, if any, outside encouragement, which she said is true of runners in general.
"Sometimes my biggest job is keeping them in check," said Moran.
Chico State should be the top competition for Humboldt State and the rest of the CCAA. While the Wildcats boast one of the best running programs in the nation, the 'Jacks know that if they race they way they're supposed to, they can compete with anyone in the CCAA and beyond.
"We just need to show up in the races and live up to our potential," senior Jason Lewis said. "It's a matter of putting everything together."
Lewis added that while the team has big ambitions, they are not getting ahead of themselves. They know that they must remain focused and perform well throughout the season in order to get to where they want to be.
"We want to go to Nationals," said senior Jason Lewis. "When we're out running it's what we talk about."
Garrett Purchio can be reached at gmoneykid@comcast.net
LINKS
HSU Athletics
For the Humboldt State cross-country program, that is certainly the case this year. Under fourth-year Head Coach Sandy Moran, the 'Jacks enter this year with raised expectations and a mix of experienced and new runners that should lead to should propel both teams to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Women's Cross Country
After finishing 8th at the CCAA Championships in 2006, the women's team is focused on competing with the top teams in the conference.
Two of the top runners returning are Megan Rolland and Jenna Lee. The duo performed consistently in 2006, often finishing near the top of the field. Other runners that are expected to pace the team are Irene Graham, Amanda Garcia and Heather Moulton.
Moran said that the competition will again be tough. With 11 schools in the CCAA fielding teams, there is no clear way to see how the team matches up until the races begin. However, she has reason to believe that this year's team can prove to the rest of the CCAA that they are a team not to be taken lightly.
"I think we can beat some of the teams that beat us last year," Moran said.
The team's lone home meet of the season is the Humboldt Invitational, which is scheduled for Sept. 8 at Patrick's Point State Park. In 2006, the team edged out Fresno Pacific University to win the event.
Men's Cross Country
Coach Moran felt the team showed a lot of potential in 2006, and with several key runners continuing this season the team should compete with the top teams in the conference.
"The men should see a big step forward," Moran said. "I'm excited to see how things work out."
Moran said the team came into practice in great condition and is ready to get the season underway. The top seven runners are all returners, which takes pressure off those new to the program. Expected to lead the team is junior Jimmy Elam, whose performance over the past two seasons has earned him the admiration and trust of his teammates.
"The team really respects how much he's worked and improved," Moran said.
When asked how she has motivated the team for the upcoming season, Moran said she hasn't had to do a lot given that they are very internally motivated and need little, if any, outside encouragement, which she said is true of runners in general.
"Sometimes my biggest job is keeping them in check," said Moran.
Chico State should be the top competition for Humboldt State and the rest of the CCAA. While the Wildcats boast one of the best running programs in the nation, the 'Jacks know that if they race they way they're supposed to, they can compete with anyone in the CCAA and beyond.
"We just need to show up in the races and live up to our potential," senior Jason Lewis said. "It's a matter of putting everything together."
Lewis added that while the team has big ambitions, they are not getting ahead of themselves. They know that they must remain focused and perform well throughout the season in order to get to where they want to be.
"We want to go to Nationals," said senior Jason Lewis. "When we're out running it's what we talk about."
Garrett Purchio can be reached at gmoneykid@comcast.net
LINKS
HSU Athletics
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