2002-03 Cross Country Preview: AU Runners Hope It’s “Home Sweet Home” in 2002
September 2, 2002

Ashland University will host the 2002 NCAA Division II men’s and women’s cross country championships at Brookside Golf Course. There are those who would say that’s a great case of home cooking – an advantage no other cross country team in the country has.

Now comes a taste of reality. Just because an institution hosts the national championship doesn’t mean it gets an automatic bid to be there. If they don’t run well throughout the season and qualify, Saturday, Nov. 23 could leave a bitter taste in the Eagles’ mouths – something like a TV dinner with first degree freezer burn.

“Serving as host is no guarantee we’ll earn a trip to our only home meet,”explains AU head coach Bill Gallagher. “The formula rewards region success at the past NCAA Championship and the Great Lakes region had very mixed success. Only two men’s teams from our region will qualify to Ashland, where five women’s teams will make the trip. So, our men will have to be exceptional at the region, being very good won’t make it. I see five teams competitive in the men’s region, led by Wayne State and Grand Valley. We, along with Southern Indiana and Hillsdale will be gunning for those top two spots.

“The women’s five bids will have at least six teams in the hunt,” continued Gallagher. “Grand Valley and Northern Michigan look untouchable. But the next four could be racing for the final three berths – Hillsdale, Wayne State, Wisconsin-Parkside and Ashland.”

A year ago, the AU men were second at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet and fifth at the region meet. Ashland hosted the conference meet at Brookside Golf Course.

This year’s AU men’s team gets a huge boost in the return of senior Nick Cordes. Cordes was redshirted last fall, but the last time he raced – in 2000 – he was the GLIAC and region runner of the year.

“I think, barring injury or sickness, Nick will be a top contender at the GLIAC and region championships,” predicted Gallagher. “After all, the last time he raced he won both. Nationals, that’s difficult to predict. Certainly, Nick could be among the top Americans. There’s still a lot of work before the dreaming.”

With Cordes out last season, many of AU’s younger runners were forced to step up and take leadership roles. That should help this year’s team. Senior Vince Swartzentruber, junior Andy Alexander and sophomore Nate Iler figure to be among AU’s top performers. Gallagher says that senior Billy Older is running as well as he ever has and he should be another valuable asset. Junior Jesse Montagnese is recovering from an appendectomy. If he’s healthy, he should be a factor.

Sophomore Wes Lewis and freshman Paul Lang look like they’ve had productive summers and could challenge the lead runners. If sophomore Cristiano Mauricio can battle back from injuries and junior Joe Soehnlen can shake off the effects of a summer fight with mononucleosis, AU’s depth could be the best it has been in the last several years.

“This will be very important for our team – to have these people come along,” Gallagher said. “Cristiano could be very big for us, but he’s had an annoying history of little injuries. We need to solve this and get him back to work. Joe is on the good side – physically – from mono. He had a terrific track season and could be a top five runner for us. And the other runner who’s made a very strong commitment this summer is Matt Hangen. Matt’s been slowed by a calf strain suffered in a jetski accident.”

The AU women were third at last fall’s GLIAC championships and also placed fifth at the regional championships. Look for this year’s team to be paced by junior Tara Griffin. She was sixth last spring in the 10K at the outdoor track and field championships, seventh at last fall’s regional cross country meet and 10th at the 2001 GLIAC cross country championships.

Junior Erika Loomis will also be counted on heavily. Last season she was 18th at the GLIAC meet and two weeks later, came home 12th at the more difficult regional event.

“Both set the standard for effort and are from the same mold as the runners from our past NCAA qualifying teams,” noted Gallagher.

The list of talented runners doesn’t end with that duo. Seniors Amy Kahr Sgro, Lisa Koss and Stephany Jones are expected to be standouts in their final seasons. Sophomores Sherri Trent and Colleen Wurzer and freshmen Ashley Meeks, Jessica Fleming and Lisa Nell form a nucleus of strong, up-and-coming runners. Trent is a transfer from Toledo and has impressed Gallagher with her dedication. Nell comes from Ashland High School, where she had a highly decorated career.

“Sherri has really busted her rear end to be a factor this year and my observation is her effort has been worthwhile,” said Gallagher. “Lisa Nell could contribute as she gets in better shape. I think she’s a talented runner – as she’s proven. My hope is to gradually elevate her fitness level so she can be in the position to compete by the GLIAC meet.

“We have a pretty solid group of runners all vying for a top seven position,” continued Gallagher. “This positive and ambitious atmosphere is the best in years. We just have to back it up with consistent and smart effort.”