Sergio Reyes

2002 Season Outlook

There may be a few more unknowns with the Cedarville University men's cross country program as compared to the women's, but that has not dampened the optimism. Elvin King heads into his 34th season with one of the top distance runners he has ever had returning, a solid nucleus of athletes who ran last year coming back, and a group of promising freshmen joining the squad.

The Yellow Jackets expect to move back among the Top 20 NAIA teams in the country. It is within the realm of possibility to improve to where they were two years ago when they placed a best-ever fifth at the national meet.

The runner who will carry them to whatever success is experienced in 2002 will be senior Sergio Reyes. He transferred to CU in 2000 with two years of eligibility remaining and was easily the team's front runner earning NAIA All-America honors after finishing 6th in the country. He was the American Mideast Conference champion, the NCCAA runner-up, and a winner of three invitationals.

Josh Mark

Reyes took last cross country season off while preparing to run his final track campaign. He was an NAIA indoor and outdoor All-American in 2002, won the NAIA outdoor 10K, and was the NCCAA Outstanding Performer of the Meet.

"Sergio is a legitimate contender to win the NAIA," King proclaimed. "He has a unique ability in that he is a strong runner with speed to finish well. He really has no weaknesses. I expect him to have an outstanding season."

Reyes made such an impression in the fall 2000 season that the Ohio Collegiate Cross Country Coaches Association selected him as the NCAA Division II/NAIA Male Runner of the Year. He has also been CU's Male Athlete of the Year the past two seasons.

Reyes will have veteran help on the roster. Senior Josh Mark finished last fall as the team's #1 runner and earned the right to compete at the NAIA Nationals. He was the Jackets' top finisher in five out of nine outings and returns with three years of varsity experience.

Justin Whitaker

Alan Bruder and Justin Whitaker are the other seniors on the squad and both own three letters each. Bruder finished the season in the #4 position while Whitaker was #5.

The only other athletes with collegiate experience are sophomores Andy Goodenough and Chris Jones. Goodenough limped through an injury-riddled freshman year and ran in five meets while Jones saw varsity action six times. Rounding out the new roster will be eight freshmen.

"Mark needs to be our #2 runner," said King. "Goodenough expects to make a better contribution since he is finally healthy and I know he is determined to improve. Bruder and Whitaker are experienced enough to have good seasons plus we need a couple freshmen to run well."

The Yellow Jackets will again host two meets at nearby John Bryan State Park. The 12th Annual Friendship Invitational is scheduled for Sept. 14 while the NCCAA Nationals will come up on Nov. 16.