Jody Fox

2000 Season Outlook

It's easy for those associated with the Cedarville's University men's cross country program to get excited about what the 2000 season might hold. Head coach Elvin King welcomes back his top five runners and six of his top seven from a year ago, two NCCAA All-Americans, and a pair of All-America Scholar-Athletes. The Yellow Jackets are preseason ranked No. 24 and know they can move up.

"We're basically the same team, only stronger," exclaimed King, who has coached the men since 1969. "We didn't lose any of our top runners and we have a freshman or two that should help. Last year, we got as high as 14th in the national poll and I firmly believe we can reach the top 15 and stay there."

A trio of three seniors in Ken Loescher, Eddie Nehus, and Steve Wakefield provide the leadership on and off the course. All three are in their fourth seasons in the program.

Justin Gerber

Loescher, who was the team's number three man, and Nehus were both NAIA and NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athletes. Nehus has consistently run among the squad's top seven and has also made his mark as a two-time NAIA All-American in the outdoor 800 meters. Wakefield won the Rio Grande Invitational and ran fourth or better for the Jackets in every meet.

A strong junior class consisting of Jody Fox, Justin Gerber, Jason Gray, and Dan Plaatje provide additional experience. Fox and Gerber, who represented Cedarville at the NAIA Nationals, were both NCCAA All-Americans. Gray was among the team's top seven finishers four times and Plaatje ran as high as fourth last season.

The Tenth Annual Friendship Invitational and the NCCAA Championships highlight the season on the home course. Both meets will be run at John Bryan State Park near Yellow Springs, Ohio. Cedarville also compete in the Midwest Collegiate Championship in Kenosha, WI.