Cross country is deeper, stronger and runs longer

As the hazy days of summer wind to a close, Oberlin men's and women's cross-country teams are revving up for a season of both hard work and fun. The two teams are ready for any challenge they may face and have been training hard in order to ensure that they come out on top.

Biology professor Roger Laushman will coach the 23 members of the women's cross-country team this year. It is his first time coaching a college-level team, but not the beginning of his involvement with the cross-country Yeowomen. He has spent the last four years working with the team and its previous coach Tom Mulligan. Mulligan has moved into an administrative position as assistant athletic director. Laushman is assisted by intern Gavin O'Neal, an accomplished distance runner who comes to Oberlin after graduating from Ohio University. O'Neal will work with both the men's and women's cross-country teams.

The women's squad remains strong this year with four of last year's top seven returning to the team. The projected starting seven for this season include senior captains Becca Grossman and Medora Lytle, juniors Beth Spalding and Jenni Huelsman and first-years Laura Feeney, Kyle McKenzie and Lori Tuchfeld. Senior captain Nikki Atkinson has recovered from injuries suffered last season and is ready to help add to the team's overall talent.

This Friday Oberlin meets Wooster at the Wooster Invitational for a pre-season scrimmage. It will give the team a chance to show its talents and gain confidence for the coming season.

"I feel that we have a good chance to do much better than fifth at the [conference championships] and Regionals," said Laushman.

With Mulligan's move to Oberlin's athletic director, Mike Muska has taken charge of coaching the men's team. Muska has coached in college-level athletics at University of Massachusetts, Cornell, Northwestern, Brown and Auburn University in Alabama, where he was twice named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year. With all of Muska's experience and the assistance of O'Neal, the men's team is plotting a course toward a successful season.

Senior captain Colin Fishwick echoed the team's sentiments when he said, "We'd like to be in the top half of the conference."

Fishwick and juniors David Bevacqua and John Rogers bring veteran experience to the team of eleven. The team will also benefit from the abilities of sophomores Forrest Crawford, who has returned for the season in top condition and Hans Peterson, who is recovering from an injury. Rookie junior Daniel Schwartz and first-year Mike Severino bolster the top seven spots with their raw talent. As their first meet approaches, the team is hard at work practicing the strategy that Muska has devised. It is important that the team gain experience running the courses that will be used in the NCAC Championships at the end of October.

"There is a philosophy in terms of getting experience on a course prior to an important race," said Muska.

Although both teams are focused on their goals for this season's races, they have not lost sight of their desire to compete at home. Plans are currently in the works for a course here at Oberlin. If all goes well,Oberlin students will be able to watch the cross-country teams work toward their goals without having to leave campus as soon as next year. Despite the current lack of home meets, both teams remain positive. Schwartz summed up their attitude by saying "It's gonna be a fun season!"