Deacons Cross Country By The Numbers
Here’s your by-the-numbers look at the men’s and women’s cross country teams as they get their 2009 seasons underway.
6 – The men’s team finished sixth at the CACC Championships in 2008, and head coach Jerry Wimberly feels the returning group of runners can help the program make the jump to the upper echelon of the conference in ’09.
“Our top four runners on the men’s side are very strong,” he said. “If one of our younger runners can step up and assume that fifth spot, we could have an outstanding season.”
2 – The men’s team is anchored by two seniors, Nicholas Kipkosgei and William Walsh, who along with sophomore captain Elson Smajlaj will undoubtedly be the backbone of the men’s squad.
“I think a big key for us will be how hard we push each other during our practices,” Kipkosgei said. “We have to push each other to be better every day. We can do great things if we push each other to work as hard as we can.”
3 – The team welcomes three freshman runners to the fold for 2009. Brandon Gonzalez, Steven Bowman and Moses Rotich will all vie for the coveted fifth spot as the season begins.
9 – The women’s team finished ninth at the CACC Championships in 2008.
3 – TheLady Deacons also welcome three freshman runners for 2009. Iliriana Lulgjurag, Dre’Shonda Williams and Bertina Beaubrun will look to make immediate contributions to a young, deep women’s team.
“We have some talented girls on the women’s side this year,” Wimberly said. “We are very young, but they all work very hard, and we should see a big improvement in our finish in conference this season.”
2 – The Lady Deacons are lead by two seniors, Jennifer Bedoya and Alexis Sweeney. Bedoya finished 36’th overall at the CACC championships in 2008, while Sweeney finished 65’th overall. Each will provide veteran leadership and solid performances on the course in this their final year as Lady Deacons.
20 – Sophomore Mercy Puma finished 20’th overall at the CACC Championships in 2008, and is definitely a runner to expect big things from in 2009.
The teams kick off their 2009 season with a trip to New York for the Nyack Invitational on August 29. The women’s race will begin at 10:00 am, with the men’s race beginning at 10:45.