Aug. 30, 2002

2002 Men's Cross Country Prospectus - Complete Release in PDF Format
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The 2002 season is expected to be one of the best in the history of the Hopkins cross country program. After a rebuilding season in 2001, the Blue Jays return most of the entire squad from both the men's and women's teams, and the arrival of several key incoming freshmen should also make an impact on this year's team.

The Blue Jay men will be led by a strong group of upperclassmen, including seniors John Onofrey and David Courson and juniors Steven Chu and Alex Gochal. Onofrey missed the 2001 season after posting four of the top 10 times in 2000. Courson recorded two of the top eight times of 2001, while Chu registered two of the top three times last year, including a season-best mark of 26:58. The addition of freshmen Nick Sousa, Gabe Tonkin, and Edward So gives the Blue Jays solid depth as each could be in the team's top five this season.

The women's team will also have a strong pack up front that will include senior Hilary Knipe and sophomores Tiffany Miceli and Peggy Chu. The trio combined for 13 of the top 18 times for JHU during the 2001 season. Additionally, freshmen Emily Chisholm, Jessica Youdin, and Rachel Stone could all move into the top five. The women also welcome back junior Laura Vernikoff, who missed last season with an injury.

Head coach Bobby Van Allen is excited about the depth of this year's teams, as the Blue Jays look to take the first step toward becoming of the top teams in the Centennial Conference. Hopkins opens the 2002 season Saturday at the Salisbury Invitational at 11:00 a.m.