Aug. 29, 2006

The last in a series of season previews of Metro State fall teams. Today the men's and women's cross country programs. The Roadrunners open the 2006 season at the Wyoming Invitational in Laramie, Sept. 1.

Men

After surprising everyone with a ninth-place finish at the 2005 NCAA North Central Regional Cross Country Championships in just its first season as an intercollegiate program, Metro State is back and hungry for even more success in its second season. Head coach Pete Julian welcomes five newcomers that join three returning runners, plus two redshirts from the inaugural campaign.

"We're still a year or two away from competing with Adams State and Western State and the other top five teams in the RMAC," said Julian. "However, we're capable of surprising people and we are certainly looking to finish in the top half of the conference."

Back for their second seasons are sophomores Todd Tolentino and Roscoe Smith, along with junior Brice Young. Tolentino was perhaps the Roadrunners' most consistent runner in 2005 and was the team's top finisher at the RMAC Championships. Smith ran in five meets last year, while Young ran in four. Young comes into 2006 in great shape after a great summer of training, while Smith is a solid, hard-working competitor.

"We anticipate that Todd will be our top runner," said Julian. "He had a solid summer of running. Brice really adds to our depth and Roscoe is just tough as nails. These returners give us a good core."

Brothers Anthony Luna and Gabriel Luna spent the 2005 season practicing hard during a redshirt season. Now they are ready for competition after spending a year getting stronger.

"Gabriel and Anthony will be a boost for our team this year," said Julian. "They will be valuable point scorers for us."

The Roadrunners have a strong recruiting class, led by Eiger Erickson, a freshman from Smoky Hill High School. Erickson was a top recruit around the state. He is joined by Chris LeBlanc, Zach Mares, Jacob Schuman and Greg Zadina.

"Eiger is a tremendous talent with a good work ethic," said Julian. "Chris comes in very fit, while Zach will surprise some people. Jacob was a state qualifier in high school and Greg transferred here to focus on his running. We have a very strong class of newcomers this year."

Women

The women return just two runners from last year's inaugural campaign but welcome a talented class of newcomers and head coach Pete Julian thinks they can compete in the upper half of the RMAC with a little hard work.

"It is really too early to tell about this group," said Julian. "However, the talent is there, we'll just have to see how they gel. We could surprise a lot of people if everything falls into place."

Returning are Mandi Hepworth and Therese Panian. Hepworth is a team leader, who is coming off a great summer of training after ankle surgery in the spring. Panian is coming off a broken leg but is a hard-nosed competitor who leads by example.

"Mandi had a phenomenal summer of training and Therese is our hardest worker," said Julian. "They will help our newcomers."

Five newcomers join the roster, led by transfers Katie Doyle, Desarae Gleason and Judy Jimenez. Doyle comes to Metro State from UC-Colorado Springs, while Gleason transfers from College of the Southwest. Jimenez arrives in Denver from Mesa College in Southern California.

"Katie will be an instant contributor, while Desarae will be an immediate impact and is capable of all-conference honors," said Julian. "Judy is a late transfer from Southern California and should be a top five runner once she gets settled into the program and adjusts to the altitude."

Freshmen Natalia Haberl, Shawnee Rudnicki, Veronica Albo and Michelle Sausa also join the squad. Haberl is a 400- and 800-meter specialist who will work on building her strength and endurance this season, while Rudnicki has a triathlon background and will be focusing on running distance for the first time. Albo was a state qualifier at Brush High School and an all-Patriot League performer. Sausa did not run in high school and lacks formal training but has great potential.

"With good training and if we stay healthy, we could definitely be in the upper half of the RMAC," said Julian.

Schedule

This group faces a daunting schedule, but it is a challenge when you compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, a league that has gone on to capture 12 of 14 NCAA men's titles and all 14 women's championships in cross country. The Roadrunners open at the Wyoming Invitational, Sept. 1, before taking on many NCAA Division I teams at the Woody Greeno Invitational in Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 16. After a trip up the road to Boulder for the CU Shootout, Sept. 30, the Roadrunners prepare for the RMAC Championships in Pueblo, Colo., Oct. 21. The NCAA Regional and National Championships follow.

"We have a good schedule," said Julian. "With meets at the University of Wyoming, the University of Nebraska and the University of Colorado, we are throwing ourselves in with the big boys. In order to prepare for our conference championships, we have to compete against NCAA Division I competition throughout the season."