Aiming to get back atop conference
Jeff Jurinek/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 9/9/09 Section: Fall Sports Guide
The Eastern men's and women's cross country teams are coming into the 2009 season with one goal: re-establishing themselves at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference.
"Top two (in the conference) is a great goal for both programs," head coach Geoff Masanet said. "I think we have the mentality that is going to change things from last year."
Both teams saw mediocre finishes at the OVC Championships last fall. The men finished fourth, while the women placed fifth in the 10-team field.
"We were a good team last year, but seemed like we were deer caught in the headlights at every meet," Masanet said. "This year I sense more confidence and that is the key to racing well."
Both squads got off to a good start this season with first place finishes at the Millikin "5K with a View" on Sept. 1, a meet that was described by senior Dave Holm as a "low-key" race the Panthers hoped would "serve as a stepping stone between summer training and upcoming races and will also be a chance to see who did their work over the summer."
Despite encountering a few more hills than anticipated on the 5,000-meter course, the women's team placed nine runners in the top 10 to win easily with 18 points, and the men had the top-four finishers in the winning effort.
"(The team) mostly met my expectations, but we need to be stronger at the end," Masanet said. "The course was very hilly, so times were a little slow. It's what we hoped we would get out of it."
Junior Jason Springer, typically an 800-meter runner on the track team, led the way out of the gate for the Panthers. Springer won the Millikin men's race in 16 minutes, 16 seconds.
According to Masanet, Springer has been slowly progressing into a "cross country guy."
"Springer had a nice spring in track," Masanet said. "He could be a big surprise in cross country this fall, his first true effort at the sport. For a track guy to run this good on a hilly course is a good sign. This is a signal that he can be one of our best cross country guys."
Joining Springer is a handful of returning runners who broke into the top seven at various points last season.
Senior Mario Castrejon was the Panther's No. 2 runner at the 2008 OVC Championships, finishing 19th overall in 26 minutes, 58.2 seconds. Aaron Iaun is another returning senior. Iaun was 24th at the 2008 OVC Championships in 27:08.5, third-best on the team.
"Iaun continued to impress with his summer conditioning and could be another surprise in the conference," Masanet said.
Also returning from last year's squad are seniors Dave Holm (27th, 27:21.3 at 2008 OVC Championships) and Eric Pedersen (37th, 27:58 at 2008 OVC Championships), junior Ryan Hoklas (31st, 27:38 at 2008 OVC Championships), and junior Harrison Bueno, who was part of the top seven in 2007. The Panthers should also receive a lift from freshman Graham Morris, who Masanet said should be an immediate impact. With Lawrenceville High School last fall, Morris finished fifth in the IHSA Class A state cross country meet with a 15:27 three mile. He also finished fifth in 4:23.3 in the 1,600-meter run at the IHSA Track Class A state finals this past spring.
The women's team will receive an influx of talent from incoming freshmen, and will also return four of the top five runners from last season. Senior Erin O'Grady was the No. 1 runner for the Panthers last season, finishing 18th at the OVC Championships in 19:50, and 125th at the NCAA Midwest Regional in 27:45.
She is joined by junior Caitlin Napoleoni, last year's No. 2 runner with a 20th place, 19:57 mark at the OVC Championships, and sophomore Erika Foltys, who was 22nd in 19:57 at the OVC Championships.
Sophomore Brittany Arthur also returns from last season, and should be an impact on the top seven. She finished 23rd at last season's OVC Championships, covering the course in 20:03.
"Arthur has made good strides this summer, running a lot of miles and also showing great maturity in how she is approaching her training," Masanet said. "(She is) more focused and also more understanding of what it takes to be a good runner."
Sophomore Olivia Klaus, who was the 2007 Class 1A IHSA cross country champion while competing for Eureka High School and transferred from Miami (Ohio) during the summer, has had an instant impact on the team in her first race with the Panthers.
Klaus won the women's race at the Millikin "5K with a View" in 19:23.
"(Klaus) comes in with very good credentials," Masanet said. "We're happy to have her here. She had a very good freshman year at Miami, is a straight-A student and just a great all around person."
The Panthers will have three incoming freshmen aiding their cause in 2009: Danielle Dickman out of Vernon Hills, who finished 22nd at the 2008 IHSA Class AA cross country state finals; Stephanie Peisker, out of Crystal Lake Central; and Gabriela Duenas out of Hoffman Estates, who was hurt this spring, but should be ready to compete in the fall.
"All three should be top seven for us this fall, or at least challenge for a spot," Masanet said.
This summer, the teams completed preseason training that stressed what Masanet refers to as "good old fashioned running."
He explained that the top men peaked at about 80-90 miles per week, while some of the women will hit 65-70 miles per week this summer.
"Mileage is the key to what needs to be done in the summer," Masanet said. "You can't fake general fitness and just logging the miles is the number one key to being fit and ready to go!"
The season continues for both teams with the EIU Panther Open at 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Panther Trail.
Jeff Jurinek can be reached at 581-7942 or at jejurinek@eiu.edu.
"Top two (in the conference) is a great goal for both programs," head coach Geoff Masanet said. "I think we have the mentality that is going to change things from last year."
Both teams saw mediocre finishes at the OVC Championships last fall. The men finished fourth, while the women placed fifth in the 10-team field.
"We were a good team last year, but seemed like we were deer caught in the headlights at every meet," Masanet said. "This year I sense more confidence and that is the key to racing well."
Both squads got off to a good start this season with first place finishes at the Millikin "5K with a View" on Sept. 1, a meet that was described by senior Dave Holm as a "low-key" race the Panthers hoped would "serve as a stepping stone between summer training and upcoming races and will also be a chance to see who did their work over the summer."
Despite encountering a few more hills than anticipated on the 5,000-meter course, the women's team placed nine runners in the top 10 to win easily with 18 points, and the men had the top-four finishers in the winning effort.
"(The team) mostly met my expectations, but we need to be stronger at the end," Masanet said. "The course was very hilly, so times were a little slow. It's what we hoped we would get out of it."
Junior Jason Springer, typically an 800-meter runner on the track team, led the way out of the gate for the Panthers. Springer won the Millikin men's race in 16 minutes, 16 seconds.
According to Masanet, Springer has been slowly progressing into a "cross country guy."
"Springer had a nice spring in track," Masanet said. "He could be a big surprise in cross country this fall, his first true effort at the sport. For a track guy to run this good on a hilly course is a good sign. This is a signal that he can be one of our best cross country guys."
Joining Springer is a handful of returning runners who broke into the top seven at various points last season.
Senior Mario Castrejon was the Panther's No. 2 runner at the 2008 OVC Championships, finishing 19th overall in 26 minutes, 58.2 seconds. Aaron Iaun is another returning senior. Iaun was 24th at the 2008 OVC Championships in 27:08.5, third-best on the team.
"Iaun continued to impress with his summer conditioning and could be another surprise in the conference," Masanet said.
Also returning from last year's squad are seniors Dave Holm (27th, 27:21.3 at 2008 OVC Championships) and Eric Pedersen (37th, 27:58 at 2008 OVC Championships), junior Ryan Hoklas (31st, 27:38 at 2008 OVC Championships), and junior Harrison Bueno, who was part of the top seven in 2007. The Panthers should also receive a lift from freshman Graham Morris, who Masanet said should be an immediate impact. With Lawrenceville High School last fall, Morris finished fifth in the IHSA Class A state cross country meet with a 15:27 three mile. He also finished fifth in 4:23.3 in the 1,600-meter run at the IHSA Track Class A state finals this past spring.
The women's team will receive an influx of talent from incoming freshmen, and will also return four of the top five runners from last season. Senior Erin O'Grady was the No. 1 runner for the Panthers last season, finishing 18th at the OVC Championships in 19:50, and 125th at the NCAA Midwest Regional in 27:45.
She is joined by junior Caitlin Napoleoni, last year's No. 2 runner with a 20th place, 19:57 mark at the OVC Championships, and sophomore Erika Foltys, who was 22nd in 19:57 at the OVC Championships.
Sophomore Brittany Arthur also returns from last season, and should be an impact on the top seven. She finished 23rd at last season's OVC Championships, covering the course in 20:03.
"Arthur has made good strides this summer, running a lot of miles and also showing great maturity in how she is approaching her training," Masanet said. "(She is) more focused and also more understanding of what it takes to be a good runner."
Sophomore Olivia Klaus, who was the 2007 Class 1A IHSA cross country champion while competing for Eureka High School and transferred from Miami (Ohio) during the summer, has had an instant impact on the team in her first race with the Panthers.
Klaus won the women's race at the Millikin "5K with a View" in 19:23.
"(Klaus) comes in with very good credentials," Masanet said. "We're happy to have her here. She had a very good freshman year at Miami, is a straight-A student and just a great all around person."
The Panthers will have three incoming freshmen aiding their cause in 2009: Danielle Dickman out of Vernon Hills, who finished 22nd at the 2008 IHSA Class AA cross country state finals; Stephanie Peisker, out of Crystal Lake Central; and Gabriela Duenas out of Hoffman Estates, who was hurt this spring, but should be ready to compete in the fall.
"All three should be top seven for us this fall, or at least challenge for a spot," Masanet said.
This summer, the teams completed preseason training that stressed what Masanet refers to as "good old fashioned running."
He explained that the top men peaked at about 80-90 miles per week, while some of the women will hit 65-70 miles per week this summer.
"Mileage is the key to what needs to be done in the summer," Masanet said. "You can't fake general fitness and just logging the miles is the number one key to being fit and ready to go!"
The season continues for both teams with the EIU Panther Open at 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Panther Trail.
Jeff Jurinek can be reached at 581-7942 or at jejurinek@eiu.edu.
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